Xtra Time Web Desk: Defending champions Mumbai Indians will kick start their IPL 2021 campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram stadium on Friday. The five time champions have a settled look, after having retained the core group of players. As far as the playing XI is concerned for the opening match against RCB, Mumbai will be without their regular opener Quinton de Kock as the Proteas cricketer is still under quarantine. That will leave the Rohit Sharma led side with two options, either to open with Chris Lynn or Ishan Kishan. The Australian did not get a single chance during last season whereas Ishan has grown in stature since his T20I debut against England. One would assume the Aussie opener will get a chance to open the innings at least for the first game.
The defending champions will have to decide who will be their second specialist spinner along with Krunal Pandya. They have two options available – whether to go with Rahul Chahar or pick new addition Piyush Chawla.
Lastly, Rohit Sharma needs to choose the right bowler to support Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult as the third seamer. It was James Pattinson who played as a 3rd seamer for Mumbai in IPL 2020 – but he is no more in the MI squad this time. It will be a choice between Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Dhawal Kulkarni or just recruited Marco Jensen.
Mumbai Indians (Predicted XI): Rohit Sharma (C), Chris Lynn, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Nathan Coulter-Nile