IPL 2021 | Team Preview: Mighty Mumbai Indians look to make it a hattrick of titles

Whenever you talk about IPL, you have to talk about the Mumbai Indians. Such has been their domination in the last eight years that they have gone onto win five seasons in the last eight editions. Under the able leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Mumbai Indians have only gone on from strength to strength in every department of the game. 

The first few seasons didn’t prove to be that productive for the most successful team in the competition now. It was the year 2013 when Rohit Sharma was propelled as the leader of the outfit and from there on the rest has been history. The core of the Mumbai Indians has remained the same for the last 5 years and the ploy have reaped rewards for the 5-time champions. 

All their bases seem covered and there is hardly any chinks in their armour. Right from the top to the middle to the lower middle and the bowlers, the full squad oozes class and has the ability to dismantle any franchises in the tournament. The year 2020 proved to be another sensational year for the MI as they were by far the most superior team of the competition. They occupied the top position in the points table for the majority of the tournament and literally eased through to the finals and then thrashed the Delhi Capitals in the mega finale. 

Opening duo and the batting depth

In all likelihood, Rohit Sharma will come out to open the innings with Quinton de Kock. The duo has been lethal for the Mumbai Indians at the top of the order and their combination is again expected to work wonders for the 5-time champions. Both these batsmen are very attacking and can make a mockery of the opposition bowling line-up when in full flow. Both these batsmen will look to contribute as much as possible and get their preparations right for the T20 World Cup slated to be held later this year in India. 

Rohit Sharma has been a sensational limited-overs batsman over the last 7-8 years and his records speak for it itself. In the IPL he hasn’t opened on a consistent basis but in the last two years, he has taken up the mantle and will look to get as many runs under his belt. On the other hand, Quinton de Kock packs a punch and has been a great addition for the Mumbai Indians. 

The batting line-up for the Mumbai Indians looks sorted and they have all their bases covered. Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan lend the perfect balance in the middle with guys like Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya coming in the middle and order lower middle-order having the ability to demolish any bowling attack. Suryakumar Yadav’s form has been a huge plus for the Mumbai Indians. He can bat anywhere and his technique is equipped for any sort of bowling attacks. 

When it comes to finishing the innings, who better than Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya. Pollard’s form has been quite exceptional coming into the mega event. He recently smashed 6 sixes in an over in a T20I against Sri Lanka and will look to keep his power-packed performances going in the upcoming edition. The Pandya brothers have been phenomenal with the bat in the final overs and their ability to bowl their full quota of overs, it allows the team management to tinker with the team combination quite often depending upon the match-ups.

Spinners vs Pacers

When you compare the fast bowling cartel and the spin bowling unit of the Mumbai Indians there is no doubt about the fact that the pacers hold the edge with an attack that can bring variety and unsettle any batting line-up. With Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult leading the pack, the opposition batting line-ups will be wary of the fact that both bowlers will try to bowl at their full tilt and gain some confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup slated to be played in India later this year. 

Nathan Coulter Nile has been brought back to the Mumbai Indians set-up and in all likelihood will be the third pacer in the XI given the team combinations. Some of the new additions might also get a look in including the likes of Marco Jansen, Adam Milne. Arjun Tendulkar is also a left-arm pacer who was bought at his base price by the Mumbai Indians. He might not get a game but the exposure of rubbing shoulders with some of the greats of the game will surely keep him in good stead going forward. 

Marco Jansen is also a new find from South Africa who can generate some good pace. Meanwhile, it will be Adam Milne’s first season with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He is also a skiddy customer and came up with some impressive performances in the last Big Bash League. 

When it comes to spinners there are quite a few options with a blend of youth and experience. Piyush Chawla was snapped up in the auctions and might come into play if the team management decides to go for the experience. Krunal Pandya will be one of the frontline spinners and Rahul Chahar is also expected to be a starter at least for the first half of the tournament. 

Full list of players bought by Mumbai Indians at IPL 2021 auction

Adam Milne - Rs 3.2 crore

Nathan Coulter-Nile - Rs 5 crore 

Piyush Chawla - Rs 2.4 crore

James Neesham - Rs 50 lakh

Yudhvir Singh - Rs 20 lakh 

Marco Jensen - Rs 20 lakh

Arjun Tendulkar - Rs 20 lakh 

Mumbai Indians Full Squad

Rohit Sharma, Aditya Tare, Anukul Roy, Anmolpreet Singh, Chris Lynn, Dhawal Kulkarni, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Jasprit Bumrah, Jayant Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Mohsin Khan, Quinton de Kock, Rahul Chahar, Saurabh Tiwary, Suryakumar Yadav, Trent Boult, Adam Milne, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Piyush Chawla, Jimmy Neesham, Yudhvir Charak, Marco Jansen, Arjun Tendulkar

Support Staff

Icon - Sachin Tendulkar

Head Coach –Mahela Jayawardene

Director of Cricket Operations- Zaheer Khan

Bowling Coach- Shane Bond

Batting Coach- Robin Singh

Fielding Coach- James Pamment

Strength and Conditioning Coach- Paul Chapman

Probable XI

Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Ishan, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Nathan Coulter Nile, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah