If you want to know what the MI best playing XI looks like three months before the IPL 2024, you are in the right place. Mumbai Indians are the joint most successful franchise in the Indian Premier League with five titles in their cabinet. On top of that, they also have two Champions League T20 trophies.
Mumbai Indians have seen enormous success over the years but the last three IPL editions have been major disappointments for them. In IPL 2021 and 2022, MI failed to reach the playoffs with the latter being their lowest moment in history, finishing 10th. In IPL 2023, they defeated Lucknow Super Giants in the eliminator but lost to Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2.
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With no trophies in three years, Mumbai Indians made a massive move ahead of the recent IPL auction. They traded Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans in an all-cash deal and appointed him as the captain. Removing their five-time title-winning captain Rohit Sharma from captaincy brought them backlash but MI are looking at the future.
Let's take a look at the Mumbai Indians full squad and MI best playing XI for the IPL 2024.
Mumbai Indians (MI) Full squad for IPL 2024
Hardik Pandya (c), Rohit Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, N. Tilak Varma, Tim David, Vishnu Vinod, Arjun Tendulkar, Shams Mulani, Nehal Wadhera, Jasprit Bumrah, Kumar Kartikeya, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal, Jason Behrendorff, Romario Shepherd, Gerald Coetzee, Dilshan Madushanka, Shreyas Gopal, Nuwan Thushara, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Mohammad Nabi, Shivalik Sharma
MI best playing XI for IPL 2024
Mumbai Indians had to trade Cameron Green to Royal Challengers Bangalore to accommodate the Hardik trade. In the auction, they were pretty good at addressing their issues. MI made some clever buys in Gerald Coetzee, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara and Shreyas Gopal.
Most of the MI best playing XI is settled with only a few places to be finalised. Here is a look at their best playing combination in the IPL 2024.
1. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma hasn't had a good IPL season in the last seven years and that played a part in his captaincy removal as the trophies stopped coming. However, Rohit will continue to open the innings for MI and he will be determined to do better with the bat.
2. Ishan Kishan (wk)
Ishan Kishan is the designated wicket-keeper batter for Mumbai Indians and will continue to open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma. The left-hand batter had a decent season last year, scoring 454 runs at an average of 30 while striking at 143. Both the openers will look to be aggressive from the get go in the upcoming IPL 2024.
3. Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav has been the best T20 batter in the world in the last couple of years. His ability to obliterate the bowling attacks and take the game away in a short time makes him the most important batter for MI. SKY made 605 runs in the IPL 2024 at an incredible strike rate of 181 while averaging 43.
4. N. Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma had a very good debut IPL season in 2022 and backed it with an even better campaign in the IPL 2023. The left-hand batter made 343 runs from 11 innings at an average 43 and strike rate of 164. The 21-yr old batter did well in international T20s as well and remains a key part of the MI best playing XI.
5. Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya is the best all-rounder in white-ball cricket and it is understandable why Mumbai Indians took a risk of such backlash. Hardik brings great balance to the MI side with his all-round skill set. If his fitness is good enough to bowl, it will give them some flexibility with overseas options.
6. Tim David
One of the most destructive batters down the order, Tim David has the finisher’s responsibility in the MI side. He made 231 runs in the previous edition of the IPL at an average of 26 while striking at 158. David hasn't been in the best of form in recent times but MI will hope he regains his touch.
7. Nehal Wadhera
The 23-yr old left-hand batter was very impressive for Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2023. He scored 241 runs from 10 innings at an average of 27 and strike rate of 145. Nehal Wadhera smashed two fifties in the season and will keep his place in the side in the IPL 2024.
8. Romario Shepherd
The fourth overseas spot is wide open for Mumbai Indians with Dewald Brevis, Jason Behrendorff, Nuwan Thushara, Mohammad Nabi and Romario Shepherd all in contention. Shepherd would be the best option to have due to his ridiculous power-hitting ability and his bowling.
9. Gerald Coetzee
Gerald Coetzee has the raw speed and aggression, which made Mumbai spend INR 5 crore to get him. Coetzee would fit well in the MI best playing XI, with their home venue Wankhede stadium assisting the pacers. The South African speedster has 60 wickets from 40 innings in T20 cricket at 8.08 rpo.
10. Shreyas Gopal
Frontline spinner is another spot that could be highly debated within the MI think tank. They have three options in Piyush Chawla, Kumar Kartikeya and Shreyas Gopal, whom they bought at base price in the recent auction. Chawla was their trusted man last year but Gopal could be chosen this time. Gopal picked 12 wickets in seven games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at 7.66 rpo.
11. Jasprit Bumrah
Mumbai Indians missed their premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah in the IPL 2023 as he was battling an injury. As a result, their bowling suffered throughout the season. He should be back leading the MI bowling attack in the IPL 2024.
Dilshan Madushanka (Impact Player)
The Sri Lankan left-arm pacer has been mighty impressive in the last few months. MI had to spend INR 4.60 crore to acquire his services for the IPL 2024. Dilshan Madushanka has been excellent for Sri Lanka in ODIs and will be a good addition to the MI bowling attack.
