New Delhi, March 29: The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is set to witness its second match on Sunday, featuring the Mumbai Indians (MI) against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has chosen a strong lineup of 12 players for the five-time champions, MI.
Before this match, Mumbai Indians have faced two significant setbacks. Foreign players Will Jacks and Mitchell Santner will not be available for the team’s first game.
Pathan has prioritized experience in the top order. He selected Quinton de Kock to open alongside batsman Rohit Sharma, leaving Ryan Rickelton out. He also advised the team management not to use Rohit as an ‘impact player,’ emphasizing his crucial presence on the field for both the captaincy and the team.
In the middle order, Pathan placed young left-hander Tilak Varma at number three, followed by the captain of India’s T20 World Cup 2026-winning team, Suryakumar Yadav, at number four. Captain Hardik Pandya is set to bat at number five, providing both stability and aggression to the batting unit.
With Jacks unavailable, Pathan has backed Sherfane Rutherford for the sixth position, while Naman Dheer has been chosen as the finisher at number seven.
On the bowling front, Pathan has opted for a balanced attack. He included leg-spinner Mayank Markande along with young spinner Allah Gajnafar to handle the spin duties. In the pace department, MI boasts a formidable trio of Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, and Jasprit Bumrah, who are expected to play key roles, especially during powerplays and death overs.
Irfan Pathan has excluded all-rounder Shardul Thakur from his team. Shardul had joined this franchise from Lucknow Super Giants before the IPL 2026 auction.
Irfan Pathan’s 12 players for Mumbai Indians are: Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Sherfane Rutherford, Naman Dheer, Gajnafar/Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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