Ideal playing XI that Mumbai Indians must target for the next games in IPL 2023

Mumbai Indians are struggling at the moment. Although they have a decent core, the team is not able to apply themselves in the game. They have now lost two games and are yet to open their account in IPL 2023. If this continues, it could be a repeat of last year. On that note, here, we take a look at the ideal playing XI that Mumbai Indians must target for the next games in IPL 2023.

MI is known to back their players but they might have to change their strategy. They should give the best slot to their best cricketers and should try to build their squad around them.

Openers: Ishan Kishan (WK) and Rohit Sharma (C)

Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma will continue to be the openers in the ideal playing XI that Mumbai Indians must target for the next games in IPL 2023. Both Ishan and Rohit started well against CSK. With this start, this duo has cemented their spot at the top of the order for at least a few games. There is a lot of potential in this opening combination and it is up to the players to step up. If they can realize their full talent, this would surely be the best opening combination in the competition.

Middle-Order: Suryakumar Yadav and Vishnu Vinod (Impact Player if MI is bowling first)

SKY is in bad form and a way to get him back to good touch could be to play him at No.3. This way, he would get to play in the powerplay and the field restrictions could help him score a few quick runs and gain some confidence. Vishnu Vinod is a talented cricketer and MI must make use of him at least as an Impact Player in the second inning if they are bowling first. 

All-Rounders: Tilak Varma, Cameron Green and Tim David

It is this department that must step up in the ideal playing XI that Mumbai Indians must target for the next games in IPL 2023. It is this department that needs to step up at the earliest. Tilak Varma has already done that while Tim David was in good touch against CSK. Both these players could provide a few overs of off-spin so that the dependency on Hrithik Shokeen will reduce. Cameron Green could have to move out of the No.3 spot because he is not doing well. He should also contribute more with the ball.

Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Piyush Chawla, Jason Behrendorff, Sandeep Warrier and Kumar Kartikeya (Impact Player if MI is batting first)

Jofra Archer's fitness is of great importance to MI. His pairing with Behrendorff could decide the fate for Mumbai Indians. Riley Meredith is also an option that MI can consider. Sandeep Warrier is an experience cricketer and should be a priority for MI in the current situation. While Piyush Chawla should lead the spin attack, Kumar Kartikeya is also needed. The latter can operate as the Impact Player in the second inning if MI bats first in the game.