STRENGTHS:
As mentioned, the Mumbai Indians’ think tank has beefed up their bowling massively by roping in former Australian pace gun Mitchell Johnson. Johnson might have called it quits in international cricket, but the rage still goes on, as seen in this season’s Big Bash League. Along with Lasith Malinga, who is now fully fit, Johnson can form a lethal new-ball pair. These two veterans can decimate the opposing top order within the matter of just one spell, and that gives Mumbai a solid edge.
After they bowl with the new ball, India’s most reliable pacer in the shorter forms, Jasprit Bumrah will be around to support them. Bumrah has evolved rapidly as a pacer and remains a class apart at the death. The presence of someone like Harbhajan Singh, a legend of the game, makes the campaign even more tilted in Mumbai’s favour. Harbhajan has been among the top spinners in the IPL and can easily control the game in the all-important middle overs.
Another strength of the 2015 IPL winners lies in their all round power. The likes of Kieron Pollard, Hardik and Krunal Pandya are more than capable with the ball and offer a dynamic package for the team. All in all, Mumbai’s primary strength lies in its bowling prowess and power hitters in the ranks.