Irfan Pathan Predicts Mumbai Indians' XI for IPL 2026 Clash Against Rajasthan Royals
“Deepak Chahar might be dropped” - Irfan Pathan predicts MI playing XI vs RR in IPL 2026
Sportskeeda
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Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has predicted the Mumbai Indians' playing XI for their IPL 2026 match against the Rajasthan Royals, scheduled for April 7 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium. He suggests that Hardik Pandya will return, potentially dropping Deepak Chahar and Corbin Bosch from the lineup.
- 01Irfan Pathan predicts Hardik Pandya's return to the Mumbai Indians lineup.
- 02Deepak Chahar and Corbin Bosch may be dropped to accommodate Pandya and Trent Boult.
- 03Mumbai Indians are currently sixth in the IPL points table with one win from two matches.
- 04Mayank Markande's performance as an Impact Sub remains uncertain after underwhelming outings.
- 05Raghu Sharma could be considered for future matches if Markande does not improve.
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In a recent YouTube video, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan shared his predicted playing XI for the Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of their IPL 2026 match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 7 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium. Pathan highlighted the likely return of Hardik Pandya, who missed the previous game against the Delhi Capitals (DC) due to illness. With Pandya's return, he suggested that Trent Boult could also be included in the squad, potentially leading to the exclusion of Deepak Chahar and Corbin Bosch. Pathan's predicted lineup features Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav in key batting positions, emphasizing MI's strong batting strength. He also expressed concern over Mayank Markande's performance as an Impact Sub, noting his struggles in the initial games. Pathan mentioned the possibility of introducing Raghu Sharma in future matches if Markande does not perform better, indicating that MI is looking for effective bowling options as they aim to improve their standing in the tournament.
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The performance of Hardik Pandya and the potential changes in the lineup could significantly influence Mumbai Indians' chances of winning upcoming matches and improving their standing in the IPL.
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