The Mumbai Indians are the most successful side in the tournament with five IPL cups under their belt. For obvious reasons they start as overwhelming favorites to lift a third trophy in three consecutive seasons. The franchise will play five games at Chennai, four in Delhi, three in Bengaluru and two in Kolkata.

Strengths : –

  1. A settled first XI that does not need any change unless it’s forced or condition-based.
  2. A power-packed lower middle-order that can be relied on.
  3. They have three players who can contribute with the ball in their batting line-up which gives them a total of seven bowling options.
  4. A quick bowling unit like no other with Boult and Bumrah attacking in the powerplay, Coulter-Nile and Milne for the death.

Weaknesses : –

  1. The second spinner in Krunal Pandya may leak runs.
  2. The quality of back-ups is less compared to the other teams’ options.

Keys to Success : –

  1. It would be tough but Boult + Bumrah should replicate last season’s performance.
  2. QDK to play fearlessly at the top of the order.
  3. Hardik Pandya to provide the final flourish at the end an innings.
  4. Have a decent start to the season.

Team Combinations : –

  1. Rohit 2. De Kock 3. Suryakumar 4. Kishan 5. Pollard 6. Hardik 7. Krunal 8. Chahar 9. Milne 10. Boult 11. Bumrah.

Coulter-Nile or Jayant could play for Milne depending upon their requirement.

Possible Finish : –

Should at least reach the finals. It would be a huge upset if they do not lift the trophy this season. That’s how good they are.

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