The Mumbai Indians has been as similar as the city of Mumbai. Very rough and scratchy in patches, but a class apart in some crucial matters. The Mumbai Indians has ocean full of talent. But unfortunately, the team has criminally wasted talent in the past. In the past auctions, the buying and retaining strategies levied by their owners have been completely baffling and defying cricketing logic. But in the 2015 Auction, the Mumbai Indians owners were among the smartest buyers. They did not shell out in opulence, neither did they let go a talented individual.
The previous campaign for the Mumbai Indians began on the most catastrophic note. They lost all their games in the UAE leg, and played like a massively fatigued side. But as soon as they reached Indian shores, their form was back. Suddenly, they found a sensational opening pair in Mike Hussey and Lendl Simmons. Their pacers came to the party, and they were back to their best. In what can be termed as the most tense IPL game till date, the Mumbai Indians chased down a colossal total of 190 in just 14.4 overs, to move ahead of the Rajasthan Royals and sneak their way into the quarters. That was one hell of a game indeed!
However, every IPL season is like a fresh morning. The players have to begin from scratch, and should build from ground zero. Analyzing the Mumbai based franchise is an interesting task, and we go about doing it.
PAST PERFORMANCES:
2008: 5th Place
2009: 7th Place
2010: Runners Up
2011: Third Place
2012: Fourth Place
2013: Winners
2014: Fourth Place
CURRENT SQUAD:
R Sharma ( c ), C Anderson, A Blizzard, J Bumrah, U Chand, M de Lange, A Finch, S Gopal, Harbhajan Singh, J Hazlewood, S Lad, M McClenaghan, L Malinga, A Mithun, P Ojha, H Pandya, P Patel†, K Pollard, N Rana, Rayudu, L Simmons, J Suchith, P Suyal, A Tare, R Vinay Kumar, A Wakhare
STRENGTH:
Forecasting the strengths of the Mumbai Indians is a no brainer for the taking. It is their batting clout, which makes them a highly successful T20 side. To be precise, it is their middle order, which has the ability to send jitters in the opposing bowling camps. The middle order of the Mumbai Indians for the 2015 edition of the IPL will comprise of the following heavyweights: Rohit Sharma, Corey Anderson, Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard. These blokes are clinical strikers of the ball, and no boundary is long enough to strangle them. Rayudu has been a revelation for the Mumbai Indians. He has literally done everything for them. From keeping wickets to stabilizing the innings to finishing the innings; indeed everything! With these four batsmen in their camp, the Mumbai based side need not worry about posting or chasing a large total.
WEAKNESS:
Analyzing the strengths of the Mumbai Indians was a no brainer; but analyzing the weaknesses for them is a no brainer as well. It is the opposite activity- Bowling! The Mumbai Indians bowlers have been in terrible form off late. Their bowling revolves around the enigmatic Lasith Malinga. But Malinga is going through a phase of serious failure. His pace has drastically dropped down and his iconic toe-crushers are nowhere to be seen. Pragyan Ojha, is just back after remodeling his bowling action, and is rusty as well. Harbhajan Singh has spent more time in the studios of news channels than on the cricket field. In Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell McClenaghan they have two talented overseas pacers. But they are most likely to be left out of the playing XI. If the batting of the Mumbai Indians gives them a competitive edge, then fatefully its their bowling which neutralizes that edge!
OPPORTUNITY:
There are a couple of shining opportunities which lie ahead for the men in Blue. The biggest possible asset which the Rohit Sharma led side has is that their home ground, the resplendent Wankhede Stadium is their fortress. Their fortress is so potent for them, that it was not breached even once in the 2013 edition. In 2014, they lost only to the Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium. The crowd cheers deafeningly for them, and it is the best way of motivation for a side. The players know the conditions of the Wankhede like the back of their hands. Another plus for them is that their coaching staff comprises of the following worshipped names: Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, John Wright, Anil Kumble, Jonty Rhodes. On one fine day, these individuals will sit together for a cup of coffee and pen down the most respected cricket autobiography till date. With such esteemed names around in the dressing room, the players will get to know some valuable tips about handling pressure and rising with the occasion. This should boost them big time.
THREAT:
A constant threat to the Mumbai Indians has been their diminishing aura. The last event that they played together was the Champions League T20 Qualifiers. Astonishingly, they were knocked out in the first round itself! Never did they play like a champion side, and looked completely out of sorts. A major threat to the Mumbai side is their overdependence on their batting, and especially the middle order. If their prized middle order collapses, then they will go down like a pack of cards.
FIXTURES:
1. Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians – 8th April (8:00 pm) at Kolkata
2. Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab – 12th April (8:00 pm) at Mumbai
3. Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians – 14th April (8:00 pm) at Ahmedabad
4. Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings – 17th April (8:00 pm) at Mumbai
5. Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians – 19th April (8:00 pm) at Bangalore
6. Delhi Daredevils vs Mumbai Indians – 23rd April (8:00 pm) at Delhi
7. Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad– 25th April (4:00 pm) at Mumbai
8. Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals – 1st May (8:00 pm) at Mumbai
9. Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians – 3rd May (4:00 pm) at Mohali
10. Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Daredevils – 5th May (8:00 pm) at Mumbai
11. Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians – 8th May (8:00 pm) at Chennai
12. Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – 10th May (8:00 pm) at Mumbai
13. Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders– 14th May (8:00 pm) at Mumbai
14. Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians – 17th April (8:00 pm) at Hyderabad
LIKELY POSITION: Bowlers of Mumbai Indians are in horrible form or are seen in studios more often than on cricket field. If their batting does not click then expect Amabni owned team to face heat. All in all a FIFTH place finish will be realistic.