The most successful franchise since the inception of the Indian Premier League. Yet again the Mumbai Indians will be entering the competition as one of the favorites, eyeing their third consecutive title. Having won the previous two editions of the tournament. Last year they topped the league and defeated Delhi Capitals twice in the playoffs en route to the trophy and such is the dominance exerted.
In preparation for IPL 2021, 7 players were released and in turn, 7 players were brought into the team Coulter-Nile, James Neesham, Adam Milne, Marco Jansen, and various other Indian players. The franchise has become such a powerhouse through the years that their bench can form a second team that can compete in this tournament.
With every department covered, carrying attacking power in their batting and bowling. Mumbai Indians will be aiming for the top once again. Without making any changes this year, the franchise once again has the team that can win it all. So as we approach the start of the tournament, we take a look at the top 5 players expected of extraordinary performances.
Rohit Sharma
The long-standing captain for the franchise and now a legend in the making for the Indian Cricket team is the most successful captain in the competition. Winning five IPL trophies is the most by any captain in the IPL. Commonly known as the hitman, when it comes to batting he is one of the most naturally gifted in the world. Having the ability to bat with grace and much ease, there are very few batsmen who can match his batting prowess.
He has scored over 5230 runs over 200 matches which includes a century and 39 half-centuries, in the whole of his IPL career. In the last edition of the tournament, the skipper was in decent touch as he opened the innings for the franchise scoring 332 over 12 matches scoring at a strike rate of 127.69, which included 3 half-centuries.
The batsman has been an influential figure for the national team, making a comeback during the Australian Test series due to injury. Ever since, even though not able to hit consistency, He has gone to play a few match-winning knocks. In particular, his fourth 150 plus score during the second Test against England in the ongoing tour. Regardless, the batsman is an ever integral part of the franchise and will be expected to lead from the front.
Suryakumar Yadav
Another consistent performer for the franchise to bank on. He is an exquisite middle-order batsman who is crucial to the Mumbai Indians batting lineup. The batsman made the headlines for his outstanding performances for the team in the last edition of the IPL. With the ability to switch gears easily, He always played in regards to the situation. Able to be patient and help build the innings or attack to boost the score, the batsman was always wise to the team’s needs.
The Indian batsman was the third-highest run-scorer for the Mumbai franchise, as he scored 480 runs from 16 matches, batting at a strike rate of 145.01 which included 4 half-centuries. Commonly referred to as SKY, the batsman has been consistent throughout the years, with his best performance for the team and IPL came in 2018 scoring 512 runs from 14 matches.
Often being overlooked by the selectors for a call up to the national team, everyone knew it was a matter of time. And then finally he was selected for the ongoing T20 series against England where he opened his innings with a first-ball six and followed it up with a fifty for his batting debut. This season Suryakumar Yadav starts the tournament as a more established name and will be counted upon for his performances.
Hardik Pandya
The Indian all-rounder is one of the main faces of the franchise, as he is among the group of players who made it to the national team due to their stellar performances in the IPL. Being one of the best all-rounders in the world, Hardik Pandya is someone who excels in all three departments, that is. batting, bowling, and fielding.
His self-belief in his talents and capabilities is something that separates him from other players. Maturing day by day, being able to handle pressure very well. Even though his recent bout with a back injury and then surgery prevented him from bowling, He was able to contribute with the bat, scoring 281 runs off 12 matches at a whopping strike rate of 178.98 carrying an average of 35.12.
Hardik Pandya has gone on to establish as one of the best all-rounders in the team, alongside Ravindra Jadeja. The all-rounder has been easing his way back to the team, working on his bowling after his surgery to prevent his back injury from occurring again. Starting to bowl again in the ongoing T20 series, it was encouraging that his bowling efforts were one of the reasons India won the 4th T20 match against England. Bringing his all-around capabilities back into play, Hardik Pandya is going to be a crucial part of the team.
Kieron Pollard
The ideal fast bowling all-rounder is a legend of the shortest format of the game and is one of the consistent performers for the franchise in the Indian Premier League. Making a name for himself performing with both bat and ball for club and country, whenever the team is in a desperate situation, fans look to him to save the day.
The West Indies all-rounder is one of the pillars of the franchise and the team has immense faith in his ability. In the last edition with the bat, he scored 281 runs from 14 matches, hitting at a stunning strike rate of 178.98 holding an average of 35.12. Due to injury, he wasn't able to bowl. But since then he has made his recovery and resumed his heroics with the ball ever since.
Kieron Pollard has become one of the star players of the national team, especially in the shorter formats of the game. He has had a decent series in the Sri Lanka tour of the West Indies, Performing in the ODI and T20 series. Though not able to contribute much with the ball, he was able to score a half-century in the last ODI of the tour. Kieron Pollard will be looking to get back into form with some big performances in the IPL.
Jasprit Bumrah
Along with Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah is another player to make the Indian team due to performances in the IPL. He has gone onto become effective in all formats of the game-breaking every stereotype of a fast bowler. With his pace and variations, He is one of the few bowlers who has become a nightmare for the opposition batsman, getting five-wicket hauls in South Africa, England, and Australia.
The fast bowler had his best year in his IPL career in the last edition of the tournament. He took a staggering 27 wickets in 15 matches, bowling at a very low economy of 6.73, taking wickets at an average of 14.96. He was behind only Kagiso Rabada in terms of leading wicket-takers in the tournament.
Ever since making his debut, Jaspirt Bumrah has gone on to become India’s lead attack bowler, proving his dominance in all formats of the game. Due to his unique bowling style, batsmen really find it hard to play the bowler. The fast bowler had a decent series in the recently concluded Test series against England, even though the pitches were spin-friendly. Although he left halfway citing personal reasons. Coming back to the place where it all started, Jasprit Bumrah will be looking to exert his dominance in the tournament with his performances again.
Holding five championship trophies, Mumbai Indians will be targeting their sixth win. As this will be the first time in the tournament a team wins, three times in a row. Chasing after this unique record, do you think Mumbai Indians will be able to pull off this unique feat. Who do you think will be the stand-out performers of the team?
