One of the most successful teams in IPL history, Mumbai Indians is always a strong side on paper, but how they end up faring in the tournament is something, no one can predict accurately. Given they have won five titles till date, makes them a contender every single time, but the 2021 and 2022 seasons were bit of a shocker for the team, where they failed to make the playoffs.
In fact, a couple of years back they finished last on the table, which isn’t expected from a team of Mumbai’s caliber. But they announced their arrival to form in 2023, after making the playoffs. IPL 2024 is where they will be mighty dangerous, and would be gunning for their sixth title, first under the new skipper Hardik Pandya.
While a lot is being said about the removal of Rohit Sharma as the skipper of the team, but thoroughly professional, MI will find ways to get strong performances on the field, and negating the outside talk. It’s all about getting the team combination right, for them.
Mumbai Indians Performance in Recent Years
Their last title came in 2020, and since then it has been a rough ride for the team. Since then, Mumbai Indians have went on to lose 24 matches, winning only 20, out of the 44 they’ve played. That just goes on to show the kind of downward spiral the team was on. But with a fresh-looking team, there is no reason why MI can’t bounce back.
Moreover, the team would be hurt after not being in contention for the title for so long. Maybe, Hardik Pandya, who took his previous side Gujarat Titans to back-to-back finals, can make a difference. Also, the team suffered badly due to a few players missing out due to injuries. Last year, key bowler Jofra Archer was ousted after just playing five matches, after an elbow injury. In fact, spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was also ruled out due to a back injury.
Team Mumbai Indians SWOT Analysis
Strengths
There is hardly any doubt that batting is MI’s stronger suit. There is Rohit, Suryakumar, Tilak, And Hardik in the line up, to go with a few foreign names as well. Budding Nehal Wadhera impressed last season, and all eyes will be on him. This batting lineup can cause a few problems to the opposition, and are bound to come good.
Another good thing about this MI squad is, they have decent back up options for top players. In bowling, they have Gerald Coetzee, who can take up the lead pacer’s role, or Shams Mulani, who can play as a second spinner in the side. The backups may not be big names for now, but can certainly deliver.
Weaknesses
There are a few injury concerns in the team. Suryakumar Yadav is returning from an ankle injury, so his form and fitness would be a worry. Jason Behrendorff is already ruled out due to an injury, while Dilshan Madushanka picked up a hamstring injury, during the series against Bangladesh. Hardik Pandya is also coming back after a layoff of five months. Add Coetzee to that list, who had suffered a groin injury during IND vs SA series.
Rohit hasn’t been at his best in the last few IPLs, with the bat. In the last two years, he has average 19 and 20, respectively, with just two fifties to his name in 30 matches.
Opportunities
Hardik has a chance to create his mark once again as an all-rounder and a skipper. Although he has proven his worth many times in the past, but he needs to build his own confidence after his injury setback during the World Cup 2023. Ishan Kishan would also be raring to go, after the entire Ranji Trophy debacle, after which he was removed from BCCI’s central contract list.
On the other hand, it will be a chance for Tilak Verma to seal his spot for the T20 World Cup. He is certainly on the selectors’ radar, and a few performances will seal the deal for him.
Threats
The only visible threat is, if the ploy of handing the captaincy to Hardik will work on not. The duo of Rohit-Hardik will have to closely work together in taking the team to the playoffs, or maybe a trophy win. But that would only happen if they maintain a close relationship.
Key Player
If one was to pick the most important player in the entire MI squad, it has to be Surya. The man’s performance has been exceptional in the last few years, and has been the best T20 player in the world for some time now. Last year too, he scored at an average of 43, scoring a ton and five fifties, at a strike-rate of 181. He’s a different beast in this format.
MI Squad for IPL 2024
Rohit Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, N Tilak Varma, Tim David, Vishnu Vinod, Arjun Tendulkar, Shams Mulani, Nehal Wadhera, Jasprit Bumrah, Kumar Kartikeya, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal, Luke Wood, Romario Shepherd, Hardik Pandya (c), Gerald Coetzee, Dilshan Madushanka, Shreyas Gopal, Nuwan Thushara, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Mohammad Nabi, Shivalik Sharma.
MI Fixtures in IPL 2024
| Date | Opposition | Venue | Time |
| March 24 | Gujarat Titans | Ahmedabad | 7.30 PM |
| March 27 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Hyderabad | 7.30 PM |
| April 1 | Rajasthan Royals | Mumbai | 7.30 PM |
| April 7 | Delhi Capitals | Mumbai | 3.30 PM |
Editors pick
