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As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the commencement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, the excitement of fans has already reached new heights with the upcoming players’ auction slated for next month and the buzz going around over retentions and release of certain players.
One of the most buzzworthy topics that has piqued the interest of fans and contributed significantly to the fervour surrounding IPL 2024 in recent days has been the reports of the unexpected trade of Gujarat Titans‘ captain, Hardik Pandya, to his former team, the Mumbai Indians, in an all-cash deal. The dynamics of this move have sparked intense debates among fans and experts alike.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s insight on Hardik Pandya’s return to MI
In the midst of these discussions, India’s premier off-spinner and Rajasthan Royals’ player in the IPL, Ravichandran Ashwin, has stepped into the limelight by presenting his vision for the Mumbai Indians’ best playing XI in the upcoming season if Hardik returns to the Mumbai-based franchise.
Known for his astute cricketing acumen, Ashwin believes that Hardik’s return to the Mumbai Indians’ fold will significantly bolster the team’s overall strength and make them a formidable force in the competition. He expressed the same while unveiling MI’s playing XI for IPL 2024 in a video shared on his official Instagram handle.
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Ravichandran Ashwin assembles MI’s best playing
The batting line-up
Ashwin’s proposed playing XI for IPL 2024 comprises a star-studded line-up, strategically positioning key players to maximize their impact on the game. According to Ashwin, the ideal Mumbai Indians’ XI would feature Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan as openers, setting the stage for a powerful top order.
Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, and Tim David complete the middle order in Ashwin’s line-up, providing depth and stability.
The return of a maverick
Making a highly anticipated probable return to Mumbai Indians, Hardik finds his place in the line-up as an all-rounder. Ashwin emphasizes how the all-rounder’s prowess with both bat and ball can add a new dimension to Mumbai Indians’ gameplay, making them a more menacing force against their rivals.
Bowling prowess
The bowling attack, spearheaded by the lethal combination of Jasprit Bumrah and Piyush Chawla, brings a perfect blend of pace and spin to the team. Akash Madhwal completes the bowling line-up, showcasing Mumbai Indians’ commitment to nurturing young and promising talents.
The overseas dilemma
Ashwin then acknowledged the wealth of talent among overseas pacers before naming certain strong contenders for the 11th spot in the line-up, hinting at the challenging decision the management might face in selecting one among those.
