Suvajit Mustafi lists seven factors which helped the side mark the extraordinary turnaround.
Four matches. Four losses. A win and then another defeat. Mumbai Indians (MI) started their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with five defeats in their first six games and were on brink of exit from the tournament which they won in 2013. A side, which wasn’t sure of qualification till the last of their league match, turned their fortunes and staged a remarkable comeback as they went on to be the first team to enter the tournament final. Suvajit Mustafi lists seven factors which helped the side mark the extraordinary turnaround.
1. Harbhajan Singh’s spirited show
Right since the inception of the league, Harbhajan has been a key member of the Mumbai side. In fact, he led them to a Champions League T20 (CLT20) win in 2011. In recent years, though he has bowled with a good economy rate, he has failed to take enough wickets. This season, he has been at his attacking best. He has bowled not worrying about leaking runs and picked up 16 wickets.
His wickets have turned the game on its head. On Tuesday, he dismissed the dangerous Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni of consecutive deliveries, which proved to be the match’s turning point. Also with the willow, it was Harbhajan’s inspiring 64 against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) that lifted the whole side. Harbhajan’s rise to the occasion is truly commendable.
2. The Pollard factor
The Caribbean cricketers add a lot of flavour to the IPL. Over the years, for MI, Pollard has destroyed bowling attacks at will but this season, we have witnessed the Trinidadian getting more matured. Not only he has scored at a brisk pace, but he has played according to the situation bailing the side out when needed.
Apart from his 383 runs, what has helped the side is his crucial overs at the death. This season marks the rise of Pollard as a batsman.
3. Lendl Simmons and Parthiv Patel opening stance
In a star-studded Mumbai squad, it’s easy to miss out the names of Simmons and Parthiv. The major turnaround for MI happened since the Simmons was drafted into the side. While Simmons has looked to play throughout the 20-overs, Parthiv has been attack upfront. Simmons is the side’s top scorer with 472 runs at an average of 42.9 and strike rate of over 119.
Parthiv too has amassed 339 at a strike rate close to 140. Not having good starts contributed to Mumbai’s woes early in the tournament and this pair rectified that.
4. Rohit Sharma and team management’s belief. They had their back on the walls but didn’t back off
From being trolled on Twitter to being called an over – hyped side, Mumbai faced a lot of brunt at the start. The injuries to key players didn’t help but they had themselves to blame for the early debacle. Even their star-studded coaching staff which ranges from Ricky Ponting to Sachin Tendulkar to Jonty Rhodes to Shane Bond, were made fun of and termed, “Too many cooks spoil the broth.”
But the management and skipper Rohit’s patience and resilience worked in the team’s favour. They believed and turned in around. Rohit, who opens for India in shorter formats and got an unbeaten 98 in the tournament opener, happily gave away his spot to Parthiv to balance the side’s batting.
Rohit was criticised for this move but knowing Parthiv can be best utilised upfront, the MI management stuck to the policy. The selfless move paid off big time.
5. Investment of faith in likes of Hardik Pandya and Jagadeesha Suchith
When you have the established likes of Pragyan Ojha in the side, you generally don’t look beyond but MI believing in the policy of ‘Horses for courses’; picked a young Suchith. The faith paid off as the investments in young all-round talents – Suchith and Pandya, paid off. While Suchith has supported Harbhajan well with 10 wickets, Pandya won two games with his willow.
6. The M & M factor
Mentioning M & M factor brings us the memories of the Miller-Maxwell onslaught for KXIP of IPL’s 2014 edition. However this season it’s the duo of Lasith Malinga and Mitchell McClenaghan , who helped in MI resurrection. Malinga’s off-form at the season’s start was a big setback to the side, but the champion Sri Lankan came back strong and with 22 wickets this season, he is one behind Dwayne Bravo, who holds the Purple Cap.
Malinga’s death bowling and breakthroughs at the start has been the differentiator. Malinga received good support from Kiwi pacer McClenaghan, who has bowled with a lot of heart and picked 15 wickets so far.
7. The blue brigade at the Wankhede
Last, but not the least, despite of the side’s hard times, the MI fans have turned out in numbers and supported the team. The crowd at Wankhede Stadium can be hostile at times and has been criticised by several oppositions over the years. They contribute a lot to MI’s success. Being one of the most consistent IPL sides and with Tendulkar associated with it, MI enjoy a huge fandom around the country. Loyal fans do inspire a team.
Suvajit Mustafi consumes cricket for lunch, fiction for dinner and munches numerous other snacks throughout the day. Yes, a jack of several trades , all Suvajit dreamt of was being India’s World Cup winning skipper but ended up being a sports writer, author, screenwriter, director, copywriter, graphic designer, sportsmarketer , strategist, entrepreneur, philosopher and traveller. Donning so many hats, it’s cricket which gives him the ultimate high and where he finds solace. He can be followed at @RibsGully and rivu7)
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