Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) seem to have found their mojo. The Hardik Pandya-led side lost their first three matches and were in trouble. But MI have turned things around in their last two matches at the Wankhede.
First, they beat Delhi Capitals (DC) to get themselves back on track and now they have convincingly beaten their rivals Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). On Thursday, MI won the toss and asked RCB to bat first, who posted 196 runs on a good Wankhede pitch. However, it was Jasprit Bumrah who stole the limelight in the first innings. The Indian pace sensation took a fifer and conceded just 21 runs in his four-over spell.
In reply, the MI openers started brilliantly as Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma built a 100-run-plus partnership. Ishan scored 69 runs at a strike rate of 202.9. Meanwhile, former captain Rohit made a quickfire 38. In the end, it was Suryakumar Yadav's show as he scored 52 runs off just 19 balls to steer MI to an easy victory. Mumbai won by seven wickets with 27 balls to spare and set the tone for the matches to come.
Mumbai Indians have begun playing like five-time champions. They have a great squad and two wins in a row will give them a huge boost in the games to come. With that in mind, this article lists three reasons why MI is now the team to beat in the IPL 2024.
MI has found its perfect team
The combination was one of the reasons why Mumbai lost their first three matches. MI didn't have the services of Suryakumar in their first three matches, giving chances to Naman Dhir and Dewald Bravis, who showed promise but couldn't finish the job for them.
Meanwhile, in the bowling department, young South African pacer Kwena Maphaka has played a couple of matches. However, he has been expensive. MI brought in Akash Madhwal. The inclusion of Mohammad Nabi and Romario Shepherd has also boosted the middle order.
SKY, who showed his class against RCB, is also back and with all the players available and MI finally finding their perfect XI, they will be the team to watch as the tournament progresses.
Top form for MI's leading pacemaker
Indian pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah has been in fine form this year. With 10 wickets to his name, the MI pacer is currently number one on the Purple Cap list. Bumrah took a fifer against RCB and showed why he's regarded as one of the best in the world.
Bumrah's four overs are crucial for MI, as we have seen in recent matches. RCB scored 196 against MI. But they only managed 21 runs from Bumrah's four overs. Meanwhile, in the match against Delhi, the Capitals were chasing a target of 235. Bumrah conceded just 22 runs in his four overs and took two crucial wickets to help MI win by 29 runs.
Jasprit Bumrah is bowling in a good rhythm and he's someone who can take wickets at any time. When a bowler like him is in top form, other teams just try to defend his overs, where they lose momentum and the tide turns in MI's favour. Meanwhile, as the tournament progresses, MI will be hoping for more of the same from their ace bowler.
Openers that set the tone
Mumbai Indians openers Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan have been in great form. In five matches, they have put on a couple of fifty partnerships and a century partnership. The Indian openers are giving MI a much-needed start and are also scoring at a high rate, allowing the middle-order batsmen to flourish.
Now that SKY has joined the side and looked good against RCB, MI's top order looks threatening with some power-hitters like Hardik Pandya, Tim David and Romario Shepherd coming down the order. It looks like a tough one to bat out.
Coming back to the openers, Rohit has scored 156 runs this season at a strike rate of 167.7. On the other hand, Ishan has scored 161 runs at a strike rate of 182.9. The Mumbai openers will be looking to continue their good form in the upcoming matches and lead the team to more victories.