IPL 2021 will begin on 9th April at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The opening fixture will see the Mumbai Indians taken on the Royal Challengers Bangalore. No team will have a home-advantage and that will be the USP of this season.
The overseas combination is a significant factor for any team to be prosperous over a season. Usually, these four foreigners must belong to the core of a squad so that there is just the right amount of balance in a XI.
Mumbai Indians has always been recognised for their ability to dish out excellent overseas combinations every season. Unlike at other franchises, MI’s foreigners perform consistently and contribute directly to the outcome of a game or a campaign. We could see a similar thing happening in IPL 2021. On that note, here is the predicted overseas combination for Mumbai Indians next season.
1. Quinton de Kock
Any overseas player at the top of an IPL batting line-up must contribute in more than one way to the team. In that aspect, Quinton de Kock is a real game-changer. With the bat, he goes about his business silently, and almost inevitably, sets a firm platform for other batsmen.
De Kock has ensured in the last few seasons that MI does not suffer from wicket-keeping errors. He is substantial behind the stumps. Due to these factors, the defending champions are likely to allot a foreign quota to South African. If he isn’t available, Chris Lynn will come in, and Ishan Kishan will go behind the stumps.
2. Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard has been an amazing servant for the Mumbai Indians over the years. Credit is due to the MI management, who stuck with the West Indian through the all-rounder’s rough phases. Pollard has a clear-cut role at MI. He must get the big hits consistently and should be able to roll his arm if desperately needed.
The long on and long off regions also belong to the big man for patrolling on the field. The player does all these jobs convincingly, and therefore, he will be the second overseas player in the XI. James Neesham will act as his backup.
3. Nathan Coulter Nile
Although not as expensive as in IPL 2020, Mumbai Indians did raise the bar for NCN at the IPL 2021 Auctions. Nevertheless, the franchise did manage to buy him well below his fee of the 2020 Auctions. While the Aussie fought with his fellow country mate James Pattinson for a spot in the XI last season, this edition, NCN will get more opportunities.
Middle-overs is where MI tends to leak runs at times. Here is where the Australian can tighten the screws for the franchise. At No.8, he can also provide a few runs with the bat. He has the experience of getting big scores and can be helpful in a tight situation.
4. Trent Boult
Trent Boult was brilliant in IPL 2020, sometimes, even overshadowing the main man Jasprit Bumrah. In fact, Boult could be the first overseas player’s name to go on MI’s team sheet.
The Kiwi is a fine exponent of T20 bowling. He picks wickets at the start and aces death-bowling in this format. Both of these worked well for the Rohit Sharma-led unit in 2020. Hence, the franchise could go in with a similar strategy for the upcoming campaign. Marco Jansen and Adam Milne will be the backups for Boult and NCN.
