Summary
The defending champions. Mumbai Indians had a poor start to the 2015 season, losing their opening four games and five of their first six. Following the loss in Delhi, Mumbai emerged victorious in their next five games to give them a real chance of progressing. A loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore was only a temporary set back as they won their last two to secure a seemingly unlikely second place, given their start.
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| The defending champions - Mumbai Indians (PHOTO: Partha Paul via Indian Express) |
The Indians are one of the most prestigious teams in the competition, with only Kolkata Knight Riders and the Super Kings the other teams to have won the tournament twice. In fact, KKR, CSK and MI have dominated the last six seasons of the IPL, with Chennai winning back to back titles in 2010 and 2011, the Knight Riders victorious in 2012 and 2014 and Mumbai claiming the title in 2013 and 2015.
Indeed, last time Mumbai Indians failed to qualify was, incredibly, back in 2009 where they finished seventh in South Africa. That means six successive top four league finishes and subsequent qualifications for the knockout stages to go with their two titles in the last three years.
Now that the Super Kings have been suspended, Mumbai are arguably the biggest team in the tournament in terms of their historic success and will be the team to beat - the fact they're defending champions only adds to this.
Key Players
Rohit Sharma
It is fitting that one of the most prestigious IPL teams has one of the most prestigious IPL players in its side. Not only in the side, but captaining it. Rohit Sharma has an incredible IPL record and is second only to Suresh Raina in the all time runscorers list with 3385 in 124 innings compared to Raina's 3699 in 128.
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| Rohit had a poor World t20 but will want to bounce back in a tournament he has a great affinity to (PHOTO: Ryan Pierse) |
Consistency is something Rohit has in abundance, with the South Africa-based 2009 tournament proving to be his least productive year so far. Ironic, somewhat, given that he played every game in a title-winning year for the Deccan Chargers. He 'only' averaged 27.84 in that tournament and had an unusually low strike rate of 114.92 and passed fifty just once.
2009 was the only year Rohit has not scored at least three fifties or had a strike rate of over 125. Sharma did not enjoy the most successful tournament in the recent World t20, passing fifty just once, but the chance to captain his Mumbai Indians side to a second successive IPL title may well be the tonic needed to find his best form again.
Harbhajan Singh
Another prestigious IPL player in the Mumbai Indians setup is 35-year-old Harbhajan. The 35-year-old is third in the all time wicket takers list with 110 wickets in 109 innings, just one behind leg spinner Amit Mishra. He is, however, a fair way behind the tournament's all time leading wicket taker - his Mumbai teammate Lasith Malinga, who has taken 143 wickets in 98 matches.
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| Harbhajan was in the India squad for the World t20 but did not feature (PHOTO: Pal Pillai-IDI) |
IPL 9 offers an opportunity for Harbhajan and the chasing pack to catch up on the Sri Lankan's impressive total, with the fast bowler an injury doubt. In addition to his tight, wicket-taking off spin, 'Bhajji' also holds a considerable threat with the bat. He crashed his first IPL fifty last year against Kings XI Punjab, with his half-century coming off just 19 balls.
Kieron Pollard
Pollard is yet another big IPL name in this Mumbai side, with his all-round statistics marking him out as one of the finest players to have played IPL cricket in the last five years. 1751 runs in 85 innings and 56 wickets in 76 innings mark him out as an elite IPL all-rounder. Given his big-hitting nature, it is no surprise that the imposing Trinidadian has an IPL strike rate of 148.51 - third only to Virender Sehwag and West Indian compatriot Chris Gayle for those scoring over 1000 runs in the tournament.
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| Pollard was ultimately not required in the World t20 but will be a key player for Mumbai (PHOTO: Gallo Images) |
The 28-year-old has an average of 29.18 in his 85 innings which, coupled with his significant strike rate, is possibly surprising and suggests an air of reliabitlity that can be seen in his performances. His bowling has not been at the same height in the last two years as it had been in his first four, with Pollard being used sparingly by Sharma in 2014 and 2015.
In those two years, he has taken just three wickets in 31 matches, in comparison to the previous four years where he took wickets in double figures - taking 51 in 62. He did not play in the West Indies' World t20-winning success after pulling out of the squad and will need to get back into the groove in Indian conditions if Mumbai are to make a strong start to their title defence.
Key auction buys
Jos Buttler
There was a huge clamour for the England wicketkeeper going into the auction and it was the defending champions who paid up for his coveted services. A strong striker of the ball and more than competent behind the stumps, Buttler is one of the premier t20 talents in world cricket.
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| Buttler was one of the biggest names at the auction and will play his first IPL seasons with the defending champions (PHOTO: Gareth Copley) |
He showcased his considerable ball-striking abilities in the World t20 and was in turn named in the tournament's best XI after notable innings in his last three games against Sri Lanka, New Zealand and the West Indies.
Against the Sri Lankans in the final group game, Buttler smashed an unbeaten 66 to all but take the game away from the defending champions, while his brutal unbeaten 32 versus New Zealand saw England home comfortably.
In the final against the Windies, Buttler looked to have got England back on track after a horror start, only to fall at 84-4 in the 12 over for 36. Overall, Buttler scored 191 runs in his six innings at an average of 47.75.
Tim Southee
Southee is an experienced international bowler and will provide quality back up to compatriot Mitchell McLenaghan and Malinga. It is hard to envisage him starting too many games this year, given the fact McLenaghan played ahead of him for New Zealand in the recent World t20 and is in such good form.
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| Like Harbhajan, Southee did not play a World t20 game despite travelling to India (PHOTO: Jan Kruger-IDI) |
The 27-year-old hasn't had a hugely successful time of it during his time in the IPL to date. He has played just 15 games over the course of three seasons with the now-suspended duo of Chennai Super Kings and latterly Rajasthan Royals.
His numbers aren't something to get too excited about, having taken just ten wickets at an average of nearly 50 with an economy rate of just over 8.50, but he is proven international quality and should prove to be a solid signing - if he gets game time, that is.
Nathu Singh
Singh is somewhat of an unknown heading into this IPL. He was picked up for a huge Rs. 3.2 crore in the auction and some say he is the quickest bowler in India, capable of reaching 145kmph. He was trained up at the MRF Pace Foundation by none other than Australian legend Glenn McGrath, who later tipped him to be future of Indian fast bowling.
He has just 11 t20 matches to his name but has already shown what he can do in the format. Singh has taken 21 wickets at a sublime 11.09 and his economy rate is equally as impressive, standing at 5.63. He has only played 26 matches in his professional career for his club, Rajasthan - six in first class cricket and a further nine in List A. He will certainly be one to keep an eye on.
Potential starting XI
Rohit, Simmons, Rayudu, Anderson, Buttler, Pollard, H Pandya, Suchtith, Harbhajan, Vinay Kumar, Bumrah
Squad analysis
Given the fact that they're the defending champions, you'd expect Mumbai Indians to have a strong squad. That is certainly the case. They have a plethora of options batting and bowling wise, with Parthiv Patel and Unmukt Chand both able to step in to the top of the batting order - although both will be unlikely to feature heavily, given the batting strength of the side.
Their strength arguably lies within the all-rounder options within the side. Pollard, Corey Anderson and Hardik Pandya have all got the 'X-factor' about them, capable of blowing any attack away with their power as well as contributing with the ball and in the field. Harbhajan is another option lower down the order, as is the youngster Jagadeesha Suchith.
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| Lendl Simmons heads into the IPL in good form (PHOTO: Matthew Lewis-IDI) |
Jasprit Bumrah performed above expectation in the World t20, showing off his bowling repertoire that includes a brilliant yorker. Vinay Kumar is an experienced campaigner in the IPL and will be looking to break the 100 wicket mark during the tournament. The bowling looks strong, with seven genuine options potentially available.
The one weakness may be the lack of a genuine, quality number three. Ambati Rayudu looks the most likely to bat there, with Anderson, Buttler and Pollard best served lower down the order. Rayudu is no mug with the bat, although if there was a weakness that could well be it.
Prediction
Mumbai look very strong on paper and have last season's triumph with them. Chennai are the only side to have retained the title in eight seasons so far, showing the difficulty in defending the title.
The signing of Buttler may well cover for the seeming lack of Malinga in the side, with the young Indian players having had a full, successful IPL season behind them and, in the case of Pandya and Bumrah, a run to the World t20 semi-finals.
It would be highly surprising if Mumbai did not make it seven successive top four finishes and I think there is a strong possibility they will at least get the chance to defend their title in a knockout game - possibly the final.
Verdict - top four finish, good chance of making the final
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