Former Indian opener and now a cricket analyst Aakash Chopra has picked an ideal playing XI for reigning champions Mumbai Indians. The defending champions have a settled squad and they would look to once again come up with a complete performance. MI is the most successful franchise as they have been crowned IPL champions on four occasions.
Chopra picked Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma as his openers. The South African wicket-keeper has scored 1456 runs in 50 IPL matches at an average of 30.3. Rohit is one of the most successful batsmen in IPL folklore as he has scored 4898 runs in the tournament.
At number three, Chopra has selected Suryakumar Yadav, who has scored 1544 runs in 85 IPL matches and he has been a consistent performer for MI. Chopra has backed Ishan Kishan to bat at number four for the defending champions. The former Under-19 Indian captain has scored 695 runs in 31 IPL matches.
Hardik Pandya bats at number five in the team selected by Aakash Chopra. The all-rounder has done a fine job for MI with both bat and ball. Pandya has scored 1068 runs in 66 IPL matches.
Kieron Pollard, who has been in sublime form in the ongoing CPL, bats at number six for Aakash Chopra. Pollard has amassed 2755 runs in 148 IPL matches and has also scalped 56 wickets.
At number seven, Chopra picked Krunal Pandya, who was awarded the Man of the match in the final of IPL 2017. The left-hander has scored 891 in 55 IPL matches and has also snared 40 wickets.
Australia’s Nathan Coulter-Nile should come in at number eight, according to Akash Chopra. Coulter-Nile was roped in for a whopping amount of 8 crores and he can deliver the goods with both bat and ball.
Mumbai Indians will be the pack leader Jasprit Bumrah in the absence of Lasith Malinga and Chopra has picked the Indian gun pacer. Rahul Chahar will be the other spinner apart from Krunal Pandya. New Zealand’s fast bowler Trent Boult is the last man in the team selected by the commentator.
