Mumbai Indians (MI) progressed to Qualifier 2 during 2023’s Indian Premier League (IPL). This season, they’re determined to advance two more stages. Their objective? Reinforcing their status as IPL’s most triumphant franchise ever.
The five-time winners have appointed Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans (GT) to lead the team. While the transfer has elicited varying reactions, with many believing that the transition was handled badly, there is little doubt that Mumbai has perhaps the greatest team on paper.
If MI can debunk the rumors circulating in the locker room, they should be able to add a sixth trophy to their cabinet and explain the management’s selections.
Here are three reasons why MI are the frontrunner to win the IPL 2024.
1. Mumbai Indians still have a captain who knows how to win
MI may have overlooked a man who led them to five IPL victories, but it doesn’t mean the new captain isn’t capable. In fact, during the previous two seasons, Hardik Pandya has been probably the competition’s finest captain.
Hardik led Gujarat Titans perfectly. He played great cricket with bat and ball. Hardik won the trophy first year as captain. Last season, Gujarat Titans came quite close to champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
While Hardik has a propensity to overburden himself, he has led gently and has consistently gotten his team’s approach right. MI has a strong thought tank that should be able to collaborate with the all-rounder.
2. Mumbai Indians Indian batting core is easily the best in the IPL
Mumbai Indians have what is easily the finest Indian batting lineup in IPL cricket. Rohit, Ishan, Suryakumar, Tilak, and Hardik find themselves in India’s white-ball plans. Age and youth strike an appealing blend.
Rohit hasn’t been at his best for quite some time but without captaincy perhaps this changes. Young Kishan and Tilak show immense promise as batters. Suryakumar is among the top T20 batsmen globally. Hardik’s versatility means he can adapt various middle-order roles seamlessly.
Furthermore, Mumbai has two dynamic young players who can play as impact players or come off the bench. Nehal Wadhera and Vishnu Vinod have range and power, but they are also versatile.
MI should be able to compete with the other IPL clubs with such a strong Indian batting lineup.
3. Mumbai Indians have the freedom of playing 2 or even 3 overseas fast bowlers
Mumbai Indians can deploy two international fast bowlers as a result of its largely Indian batting lineup. They can even choose three if they don’t rate Romario Shepherd in the lower-middle order.
Historically, IPL-winning clubs have looked for firepower and death-bowling value from international pacers. Jasprit Bumrah is a bowler who could use some company, which he will get from Nuwan Thushara, Gerald Coetzee, and Dilshan Madushanka.
Jason Behrendorff has regrettably been left out, but Luke Wood is a strong T20 bowler who may be deployed as a backup. Among the quartet, Coetzee appears to be a likely starter, while Thushara might be a standout death bowler.
Giving Jasprit Bumrah something to work with has been a limiting factor for MI in recent years, but they now have a good fast-bowling core that can contribute across stages.
