The 13th season of the IPL is just a week away and the excitement is going over the top for the cricket fans. Defending champions Mumbai Indians take on Chennai Super Kings in the IPL opener in Abu Dhabi on 19th September at 7:30 PM IST. The timing is a major change in this year’s IPL as the matches will start at 7:30 PM and not at 8:00 PM.
Talking about Mumbai Indians, once again they have a team that seems good enough to lift the trophy. They have made some great additions, especially in the overseas contingent. They have really good options and it would be difficult for them to choose four out of them. On that note, let’s have a look at MI’s four overseas players for the opening game.
4. Quinton De Kock
Quinton De Kock had a superb IPL in 2019 for Mumbai Indians. He opened in all the 14 games and scored over 500 runs which is great for any player. He is a great wicket-keeper and now with the experience of leading South Africa for a while, he would understand the game better.
He forms a great left hand-right hand opening combination with Rohit Sharma. On his day, he will take the game away from the opposition and hence he has to be a part of the XI from the first game.
3. Trent Boult
Mumbai Indians have got a great player in Trent Boult. They always had a bowler for the death but now they also have a bowler to open the bowling. Trent Boult is one of the best with the new ball. Being a left-armer it makes life extremely difficult for the right-handed batsmen.
He swings the ball both the ways and with Jasprit Bumrah he is going to form a formidable pair. Boult has the quality and hence he will start in the XI.
2. Nathan Coulter Nile
Nathan Coulter Nile is another good addition to the fast bowling department for the Mumbai Indians. MI likes to play two overseas fast bowlers and NCN can be the second one. They have other options in their reserves but NCN can not only bowl the crucial overs but he can also smash a few with the bat.
The pitches in UAE suit his style of bowling as he bangs it in the pitch. He is available from the first game and hence there is a high chance that he will make the XI for the first game.
1. Kieron Pollard
The way Kieron Pollard was batting in the CPL you can’t imagine a Mumbai Indians XI with him. He is in great form at the moment and he has led his team in an unbeaten streak straight to the CPL trophy.
The good news is that he has started bowling more often and picked up some wickets as well. His fielding is as great as always and hence there are no doubts about Kieron Pollard being in the XI.
