New Delhi, March 29 (NationPress) Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has selected his most formidable playing 12 for the five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of their inaugural match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against the three-time victors Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the renowned Wankhede Stadium this Sunday.

Mumbai faces an early setback as two crucial overseas players, Will Jacks and Mitchell Santner, will be unavailable for the opening game. Their absence necessitates a reevaluation of the team structure, particularly in the areas of all-rounders and spin bowlers.

Pathan has chosen to emphasize experience in his lineup, opting for Quinton de Kock to open alongside seasoned batter Rohit Sharma, while omitting Ryan Rickelton. He also advised that the team management refrain from using Rohit as an impact player, underscoring his vital leadership and on-field presence for the team.

In the middle order, Pathan has positioned the promising young left-hander Tilak Varma at number three, followed by India’s T20 World Cup 2026-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav at number four. The captain Hardik Pandya is placed at number five, ensuring the batting lineup is both stable and powerful.

With Jacks' absence, Pathan has shown faith in Sherfane Rutherford to take the number six position. Naman Dhir has been designated as the finisher at number seven.

Regarding the bowling attack, Pathan has opted for a well-rounded approach. He includes young spinner Allah Ghazanfar alongside leg-spinner Mayank Markande to manage spin responsibilities. The pace department features a robust trio of Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, and Jasprit Bumrah, expected to be crucial, particularly during the Powerplay and death overs.

Interestingly, Pathan has excluded all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who joined the franchise from Lucknow Super Giants prior to the IPL 2026 auction, suggesting a preference for specialized roles in his XI.

Pathan’s MI playing 12: Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Sherfane Rutherford, Naman Dhir, Ghazanfar/Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah.

The Mumbai Indians made a significant comeback last season, finishing as one of the top teams and securing a spot in the playoffs. However, their journey concluded in Qualifier 2 after a loss to the Punjab Kings. After last claiming the IPL title in 2020, the five-time champions are determined to rejuvenate their efforts and terminate their title drought in the 2026 season.