hardik pandya Could not play Mumbai Indians' last match against Delhi Capitals due to illness. However, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey confirmed that the star all-rounder will return for Mumbai's upcoming clash against Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday, April 7.
While predicting Mumbai's playing XI for the upcoming encounter, Irfan Pathan placed Pandya at No. 5 in the batting order. The former Indian all-rounder also said that Deepak Chahar could make way for Pandya and Trent Boult could replace Corbin Bosch. At No. 11, Pathan placed the charismatic Jasprit Bumrah.
“Hardik Pandya was bowling in the nets in Guwahati, which means he is almost certain to return for Mumbai. Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton. Tilak at number three and Suryakumar at number four, you can adjust it if you want. There is Hardik at number five, Sherfane Rutherford at number six, Naman Dheer at number seven, Santner at number eight, Shardul Thakur at number nine. It is a great batting lineup. It is,” Pathan said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
He said, “At number ten, bring back Trent Boult. Because if Hardik comes, then obviously Deepak Chahar can be dropped. Corbin Bosch can also be out, and Trent Boult can make a comeback. Now, when you talk about the other two players, Bumrah is naturally at number eleven.”
But for now, Mumbai will probably go with Mayank Markandey: Irfan Pathan
So far Mayank Markande has given 36 runs in three overs in the first matches. While Pathan believes Mumbai Indians will back Markande for a few more games, he floated the idea of handing the debut to another leg spinner, Raghu Sharma, if the ousted Indian bowler continues to struggle.
“At number 12, I would keep an eye on how much support you want to give Mayank Markande. Markande has not done very well so far, but Raghu Sharma is a leg spinner, an unknown commodity. It will be interesting to see how Mumbai decides to use him. For now, they will hope Mayank Markande does well.”
“If he doesn't do that, Raghu, based on the practice matches I have seen, bowls at good pace and can turn the ball. So it is possible that we may see him playing later. But for now, Mumbai will probably go with Mayank Markande,” he said.
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