Before the 2015 Indian Premier League starts on April 8, The National will preview each of the eight teams.
Mumbai Indians
An overview
The Mumbai Indians are, without a doubt, one of the most popular franchise in the IPL. In the first season of the league, they were the most watched team on TV with 239 million viewers.
With Sachin Tendulkar present on their roster, their popularity should not come as a surprise. But then, often there is a sense the team have underachieved. The most expensive franchise among the IPL’s original eight, the Mumbai Indians have blown hot and cold, finishing fifth in the first season and seventh in the next, before reaching the final in 2010 where they lost to the Chennai Super Kings.
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Since then, the team have made it to the last-four every season, winning the title in 2013 when they beat the Super Kings in the final to avenge their 2010 loss. Still, the team seems in a perpetual state of flux. Only two members of the original 2008 squad – Harbhajan Singh and Lasith Malinga – are still part of the team.
The likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Dwayne Bravo, Robin Uthappa, Shikhar Dhawan, JP Duminy, Zaheer Khan, Mitchell Johnson, Suryakumar Yadav and Glenn Maxwell have all been a part of the Mumbai Indians in the past, but have gone on to shine for other franchisees after getting few opportunities with the team. Maxwell is a great example of that – the “Big Show” managed to get only three matches in 2013 and faced a mere 27 balls.
Others like Andrew Symonds, Michael Hussey, Pragyan Ojha and T Suman have come in after doing really well for their previous franchisees, but have failed to match their performances.
So, something does not seem right. The confusion over team composition and strategy has been obvious, with their list of coaches including Lalchand Rajput, Robin Singh and John Wright. And then there are the mentors as well – Anil Kumble and the likes.
Perhaps, there are just too many cooks in the Mumbai Indian dressing room. The broth does not look or taste the way it should.
The match winner Rohit Sharma – The second-highest run-getter in IPL history after Suresh Raina, Sharma could be carrying the Mumbai Indian batting on his shoulders as the line-up looks a bit thin on experience. The India star, of course, relishes such challenges.
Up and coming star Shreyas Gopal – A leg-spinner who has modelled himself on the former India ace Anil Kumble, Gopal looked a confident young lad with the ball in the few opportunities he got last season. He is a decent batsman as well, so a bright future beckons.
Other star names
Kieron Pollard – One of the biggest hitters in the game, Pollard has missed only five of Mumbai Indians’ 82 matches over the past five seasons and that is an indication of his worth to the team. He is an exceptional fielder as well and can bowl tight spells.
Harbhajan Singh – His best days might be behind him, but the “Turbanator” can still bowl some mesmerising spells. He did that regularly last season and finished among the top six in the economy rate, picking up 14 wickets in the season.
Josh Hazlewood – The Australian speedster has added quite a few admirers to his list after his impressive performance at the World Cup, bowling straight and quick and picking up seven wickets in the five matches he played.
Lasith Malinga – The leading wicket-taker in IPL history with 119 victims in 83 matches, the Sri Lankan speedster is one of the biggest stars in the league. His toe-crushers remain one of the most lethal deliveries in cricket today.
Ambati Rayudu – One of Mumbai Indians’ most consistent performers with 1,710 runs from 81 matches over five seasons, Rayudu will be hoping to keep that performance graph going and play anchor in what could be a brittle batting line-up.
Coach Ricky Ponting
Previous record 2014: 4th, 2013: Champions, 2012: 4th, 2011: 3rd, 2010: Runners-up, 2009: 7th, 2008: 5th
The National's verdict The Mumbai Indian fans will certainly disagree, but the team looks a bit short of firepower and reaching the last four once again could be a big challenge, but who can write off a team that boasts Aaron Finch, Rohit Sharma, Pollard, Malinga and Harbhajan.
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