Mumbai have the tools

One of the most consistent teams in the Indian Premier League, defending champions Mumbai Indians will be bidding to become just the second team to successfully retain the IPL trophy and they have the ammunition to do so.

On of the richest teams in the IPL, Mumbai Indians’ first couple of years in the most popular T20 league in the world was anything but ordinary. They however have emerged as one of the heavyweights since then, clinching the title twice (2013, 2015) to truly live upto to their big boys status.

Their victory last year was almost similar to Kolkata Knight Riders’ road to glory in 2014. Having lost their opening four games, their confidence appeared extremely low but blessed with several champion players, they picked up the pieces in superb style, winning nine out of their last 10 games to complete a stunning resurrection.

Going by the adage “Why fix it when it ain’t broken”, Mumbai Indians sensibly chose to retain 19 members of their title-winning squad for this season, ensuring continuity. In captain Rohit Sharma, one of the most destructive openers in limited overs cricket, the equally potent Lendl Simmons, swashbuckling Jos Buttler, dangerous Ambati Rayudu and brutal all-rounders Corey Anderson and Keiron Pollard, they possess a strong batting line-up that can destroy any attack. Throw in Parthiv Patel, Unmukt Chand and Hardik Pandya, they’ve got decent back-ups as well.

If there is one area of concern, then its their bowling department. Yorker machine Lasith Malinga — their premier pace bowler — injured himself during the Asia Cup and subsequently pulled out of the World T20. Just how fit the Sri Lankan is remains to be seen and the Indians’ think-tank would be hoping for a speedy recovery.

Talented Jasprit Bumrah has caught the attention of the world with his yorkers and the youngster may well be leading pace bowling duties along with Tim Southee and R Vinay Kumar.

Pace bowling all-rounders Anderson and Pollard provide ample options for the team as well. Veteran Harbhajan Singh and Shreyas Gopal are the main spin bowling options and the former will have a key role to play. MI look strong on paper and will start amongst the favourites when the show kicks-off on April 9.