Defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) are all set to start their IPL 2020 campaign in the tournament opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Abu Dhabi on Saturday (September 19).
Ahead of the match, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar named his MI playing XI keeping in mind the pitch and weather conditions in UAE.
Gavaskar opted to go with Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav as his openers. Quinton de Kock was slotted to bat at No. 3 followed by Ishan Kishan and three all-rounders in Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard and Krunal Pandya.
Gavaskar selected Rahul Chahar as the lone spinner in the MI line-up while Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult/Mitchell McClenaghan and Nathan Coulter-Nile were the part of his pace attack.
MI may start as one of the favourites to win the IPL 2020, but Gavaskar listed out a couple of weaknesses in the team. According to him, the four-time champions lack experienced spinners in the team and he also raised concerns over Mumbai’s middle-order.
“Yes, you can say that because they do not have the experienced spinners that other sides have,” Sunil Gavaskar told Sports Tak.
“The other thing that can be a weakness is middle order. They will have to think who will bat at No.4 and No.5 position. If Quinton de Kock plays, then he will open with either Rohit Sharma or Suryakumar Yadav,” he added.
“Ishan Kishan might come in at No.4, he can also open the innings. Kieron Pollard can come in at No.5. Maybe Hardik Pandya can be promoted to No.4. But if that doesn’t happen then who will play at No.4?”
Sunil Gavaskar’s MI Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Quinton de Kock (wk), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult/Mitchell McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah.
