With the return of Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians (MI) might be the strongest team in the IPL 2024. Having a proven pace-bowling all-rounder gives the five-time champions a real edge over the other teams in the league. However, with injuries, changing scenarios, and changes in pitches across the ten stadiums, MI might need the services of an impact player.
Therefore, newly-appointed MI skipper Pandya will have to choose the five players who might come in as ‘impact players‘ as well as a balanced playing XI.
Impact player options for MI
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Arjun Tendulkar | Left-arm pacer |
| Kumar Kartikeya/Akash Madhwal | Right-arm pacer |
| Shams Mulani | Left-arm orthodox |
| Nehal Wadhera | All-rounder |
| Naman Dhir/Shivalik Sharma | All-rounder |
One can argue that MI might not even need impact players given how strong their lineup is. However, their spin department could use some bolstering. Shams Mulani can play as a front-line spinner on spin-friendly tracks, while they can use Nehal Wadhera, a proven asset for them last season, as a spin-bowling all-rounder. Naman Dhir and Shivalik Sharma can also play the role of spin all-rounders, with Wadhera being primarily a batting all-rounder.
If Hardik Pandya decides to bring in a fast bowler, he can use Arjun Tendulkar as a new ball pacer. His being a left-armer can also be useful. Other than him, Kumar Kartikeya and Akash Madhwal are the other two Indian pacers they have in the lineup, with Madhwal picking up heaps of wickets last season despite being a touch expensive.
MI Probable Playing 11 for IPL 2024
Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Tim David ✈️, Mohammad Nabi ✈️, Piyush Chawla, Gerald Coetzee✈️, Jasprit Bumrah, Jason Behrendorff ✈️.
MI Squad
Rohit Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Vishnu Vinod, Arjun Tendulkar, Shams Mulani, Nehal Wadhera, Jasprit Bumrah, Kumar Kartikeya, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal, Jason Behrendorff, Romario Shepherd, Hardik Pandya, Gerald Coetzee, Dilshan Madushanka, Shreyas Gopal, Nuwan Thushara, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Mohammad Nabi, Shivalik Sharma.
