Mumbai Indians might hand debut to one of the fastest bowlers of the world

Milne’s inclusion in the squad bears special significance as he will have the opportunity to reunite with bowling hero Shane Bond, who is the bowling coach of the Mumbai based franchise.

Milne has played 70 T20s so far and taken 83 wickets with economy rate of 7.77 and he is fourth international fast bowler in the MI squad along with Jaspirt Bumrah, Mustafizur Rahman and Mitchell McClenaghan.

“When you come into any team, your goal is to help that team win games. Mumbai Indians have got a great set-up. They play here for pride in this competition. So I think the number one goal is trying to do anything I can to help this team win game,” Milne was quoted as saying in News 18.

Milne made his IPL debut in 2016 with the Royal Challengers Bangalore and went on to play only five matches across two seasons for the franchise.

If Milne does make it to the playing XI then either McClenaghan or Cutting will have to sit out as the it will be unfair to drop Pollard, who has struck just at the right moment.

The right-arm seamer was called in as a replacement for the injured Pat Cummins rather secretively last month without any official announcement from the franchise or BCCI.

The three time champions have won four out of their last five games, so it would be illogical to expect any major changes going into the do or die match.

But if reports are to be believed then Mumbai could unveil their secret weapon to surprise the Daredevils.

New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne could be included in the playing XI against Daredevils.

However, it is confirmed the Kiwi quick, who can clock over 150 km/h has been signed as Cummins’ replacement is eyeing his Mumbai Indians debut ahead of the playoffs.

Mumbai Indians are no strangers to do or die matches. They have faced the same situation multiple times in the previous editions and have emerged victorious almost every time.

All they need to do is beat Delhi Daredevils in their last league game on Sunday to secure a playoff berth as their NRR is better than Rajasthan and Kings XI Punjab.

Now, on the last day of the league stage, both Delhi and Bangalore are out of contention but Mumbai are well and truly in with a chance sneak in to the top four.

This year too, the situation was no different. The defending champions were one of the firsts along with Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils to face a win-all to make to the playoffs scenario halfway through the league stage.