Mumbai Indians: Squad Analysis (Part 1)

The five-time champion Mumbai Indians have once again assembled a team to win the eighteenth edition of the IPL. Today, we will discuss their new squad and analyse their best buys, the Batting and bowling department, leadership, and more.

Mumbai Indians won its last IPL title in 2020. Since then, the team has been struggling to win the title; earlier, under Rohit's captaincy, the team won the titles every alternate year from 2013 to 2019 and in 2020, too. 

The controversial change in the team's captain last year didn't turn out to be a good decision. The team was the worst performer of the season, finishing in the previous position. In the last season, Captain Hardik Pandya faced significant criticism since the start of the season. He was even booed multiple times on the field during matches.

In the auction, the team management filled the squads with 23 players, including 8 overseas. Before the Auction, Mumbai retained five players worth Rs. 75 Crore; all were Indians.

• Hardik Pandya
• Rohit Sharma
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Surya Kumar Yadav 
• Tilan Verma

With the remaining 45 crores, the team spent 44.80 to buy 18 players.

Team’s Leadership

Rohit Sharma stepped down from the captaincy last year after the management decided to make Hardik Pandya the team's captain. This decision faced harsh criticism from the fans and has yet to give a fruitful decision. With the new coach, Mahela Jaywardhane, the team will try to win the title this season.

The Lethal Pace Trio

Mumbai started its auction by buying left-hand Pacer Trent Boult(Rs. 12.5 Cr). Boult, a former MI player, joined the team again. In the auction, Mumbai also bought Indian pacer Deepak Chahar for 9.75 Cr. With Bumrah already in the team, Mumbai's pace attack is undoubtedly the most lethal. Boult and Chahar will start the innings, and Bumrah will bowl the death overs.

Team's Powerful Batting Lineup 

The team built a robust top order with the retained players Rohit Sharma, Surya Kumar Yadav, and Tilak Verma. In the auction for the middle order, the team bought explosive batter Will Jacks and wicket-keeper Naman Dhir. Will Jacks hit an explosive hundred off 40 balls last year against Gujarat Titans. The team also bought aggressive batter Ryan Rickelston from South Africa and young Bevon Jacobs. Both players showed their batting abilities in the recent T20 leagues.

As Hardik Pandya will bat in the lower middle order, the team has built an acceptable middle order, but they could have done better, particularly in the middle order.

Mumbai Indian's Squad

The following article will discuss all-rounders, wicket-keepers, the soin department, coaching staff, and Playing 11.