IPL 2024: Mumbai Indians strongest predicted playing XI against Lucknow Super Giants

Mumbai Indians ( Source : IPL )

Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will be up against each other in the 48th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The match is set to take place at Bharat Ratna Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on the 30th of April 2024 at 7:30 PM (IST). Both teams would be desperate for a win given the stiff challenge in the mid-table in the league at the moment. No team has officially been eliminated in the league and that promises to be a good contest. 

LSG is placed in the fifth position in the points table. They have a total of 5 wins and 4 losses in their 9 matches so far. Their positive net rate of +0.059 has kept them ahead of DC in the table. On the other hand, MI is placed in the 9th position in the points table. Only RCB is below them in the standings. They have 3 wins and 6 losses in their 9 matches. Their net run rate of -0.261 has pushed them below PBKS in the table. They would be hoping to beat LSG by a big margin.

Both teams lost their previous matches. While MI lost to DC by just 10 runs in a high-scoring thriller, LSG lost to RR in their own backyard by conceding the highest run chase at home. They have some good players in their lineup like KL Rahul, Quinton De Kock, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Krunal Pandya, Matt Henry, and others. MI has a good set of players too. Their performances so far have been of a mixed bag and the game against LSG would be determinant.

 Here’s the predicted XI of MI for the 48th match of the IPL 2024 against LSG –

Openers – Ishan Kishan (Wk) and Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Mumbai Indians are likely to continue with the same set of openers. They have the aggressive duo of Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma at the top. The left-right combination has worked well for MI so far. But the duo has not performed as well as they would have liked in the last 3-4 matches, which can be called one of the main reasons for their current situation in the league. The duo would be hoping to make an impact at the top and give a good start to the 5-time champions.

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Ishan Kishan will be keeping the wickets for MI. He has been good as a gloveman and as a batter. At the start of the innings, he can take on the bowlers by making good use of the field restrictions. At the other end, MI has Rohit who has been arguably at his best form in an IPL season. The star batter is getting ready for the T20 WC 2024 in the best possible way. The experienced batter is making a statement by striking high in the powerplay overs. If required, he can play longer innings too.

Middle Order – Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, and Tim David

Suryakumar Yadav. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

In the middle order, MI have some of the most aggressive batters in the world. At number 3, the visiting side has a world-class batter like Suryakumar Yadav, who has not been at his best in the season. Ahead of the T20 WC 2024, he needs to return to form by scoring some runs. The next 5 matches would be a good opportunity for him. At number 4, MI has a reliable yet aggressive batter like Tilak Varma. He has been one of the most underrated batters this season.

The Southpaw has gone about his business without getting much recognition. Nehal Wadhera will continue to be picked in the main side of MI. He did well in the game against Rajasthan Royals. The Southpaw can bat anywhere from number 3 to number 7. To follow him would be Tim David, the designated finisher of MI. The aggressive batter has not been at his best in the season and would be hoping to return to form ahead of the T20 WC 2024.

All-rounders – Hardik Pandya and Mohammad Nabi

Hardik Pandya. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

MI have a great set of All-rounders in their lineup. Hardik Pandya and Mohammad Nabi are two of the best all-rounders in the world, especially in T20 cricket. Both of them have not had a good tournament and would be hoping to return to form. While Hardik has been failing as a bowler and has not been at his best with the bat as well, Nabi has not been able to claim wickets. The experienced player has not been able to make an impact with the bat.

Hardik Pandya is someone who can bowl in different phases as a bowler. Even as a batter, he can bat anywhere from number 4 to number 7. The skipper of MI would be hoping to perform well in the upcoming games which is important for his IPL franchise and Team India. Mohammad Nabi has been good in different roles for MI as a bowler. While the Afghanistan legend has not been a wicket-taker, he has been able to control the flow of runs from his end.

Bowlers – Piyush Chawla, Jasprit Bumrah, Luke Wood, Nuwan Thushara (Impact substitute)

Jasprit Bumrah. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

In the bowling department, MI have some exciting players. Piyush Chawla is likely to be the sole spinner in the lineup, as Mohammad Nabi will act as the second spinner. Chawla bowled well in the last game when other bowlers except Jasprit Bumrah went for runs. The latter would be the most important resource for MI. He can bowl an over in the end PP phase and return for the death overs. If required he can deliver an over in the middle overs to break partnerships.

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MI are likely to continue with the overseas pace duo they had in the previous game. Luke Wood brings a different variety to the attack. The left-arm pacer can swing the ball into the right-handers and cause trouble. Nuwan Thushara has been one of the most exciting bowlers to watch out for. The Sri Lankan did not have a great game against DC and would be hoping to change it against LSG. In the absence of Gerald Coetzee, he will be crucial for the 5-time champions.

MI’s predicted XI against LSG –

Ishan Kishan (WK), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, Hardik Pandya (C), Tim David, Mohammad Nabi, Piyush Chawla, Jasprit Bumrah, Luke Wood.

Impact substitute – Nuwan Thushara