IPL 2022: Aakash Chopra picks his ideal Mumbai Indians XI

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has picked his ideal XI for Mumbai Indians for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.

Chopra picked Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan as the openers for the franchise as they will provide left and right-hand batting combination. Kishan was bought for a whopping amount of INR 15.25 crores in the mega auction

The renowned commentator wants Suryakumar Yadav to bat at one down for the five-time champions. Yadav has been a consistent performer for Mumbai Indians over the years.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, the two openers, there is no doubt about it, left and right-handed. They have always loved a left-handed opener. At No. 3 will be Suryakumar Yadav but he might not be available for the first match. So you may actually want to change the opening combination as well.”

The former KKR player wants Tilak Varma, Kieron Pollard, and Tim David to bat at number four, five, and six respectively in the batting order for MI.

“Tilak Varma at No. 4 maybe, Kieron Pollard at No. 5 and Tim David at No. 6. If you see these six, there are not too many actual bowling options. Tim David and Kieron Pollard do bowl a little, it’s not the same quality that used to be there – Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya – they were like decent three-over bowlers.”

Chopra wants one out of Fabian Allen, Arshad Khan and Daniel Sams to be the number seven for MI.

“If we talk about the bowling – Daniel Sams, Fabien Allen, Arshad Khan – you will try to play one out of them after Tim David. You have four more vacant places to fill after that.”

The former Delhi player backed Jasprit Bumrah, Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank Markande and Tymal Mills to be the bowling battery for MI.

“One will go to Jasprit Bumrah, there is no doubt about that. I will give one to Markande ahead of Murugan Ashwin. Among Unadkat and Basil Thampi, I will go towards Unadkat and I will play Tymal Mills and not Riley Meredith.”

Mumbai Indians will begin their IPL 2022 campaign against Delhi Capitals at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on 27th March.

Aakash Chopra’s ideal Mumbai Indians XI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, N Tilak Varma, Kieron Pollard, Tim David, Daniel Sams/Fabien Allen/Arshad Khan, Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Markande, Jaydev Unadkat, Tymal Mills