Why Mumbai Indians Are the Champions of the IPL: A Journey to Success
Wow, Mumbai Indians won the IPL 2020, securing their fifth title by defeating the Delhi Capitals in the thrilling final match on November 10, 2020. The match, held in Dubai, saw the Mumbai Indians chase a target of 157 runs, winning by five wickets. Kieron Pollard played a crucial role in the victory, and the team's consistent performance throughout the tournament was vital to their success.
Key Performances in the Final Match
Mumbai looked balanced on both ends, with Trent Boult and Nathan Coulter-Nile hitting Delhi with their masterclass bowling, picking 3 and 2 wickets respectively. Skipper Rohit Sharma showcased a brilliant performance, scoring 68 runs off 51 balls, with 5 boundaries and 4 sixes. However, Quinton de Kock lost his wicket early in the game to Delhi's previous match star, Marcus Stoinis.
A miscommunication between Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav cost the latter his wicket on a mere score of 19 runs. Ishan Kishan provided the much-needed support to Rohit Sharma and formed a 47-run partnership that helped Mumbai reach the winning zone. Unfortunately, Rohit was caught by Lalit Yadav on a Nortje ball.
Kieron Pollard came into the field with all guns blazing, hitting Nortje for back-to-back fours before Rabada struck in the 18th over to pick Pollard's wicket, giving an interesting twist to the game. Mumbai ended the game with a 5-wicket win over Delhi, shattering the latter's hopes of winning their maiden title.
Consistency and Team Fortune
Consistency is the only key to Mumbai Indians' success. Regardless of the match, any player can step up and deliver. A perfectly balanced team, with the coolest and smartest captain, I.e. Rohit Sharma, is the recipe for success. Taking early wickets and building pressure on the opposition, combined with a captain who can trust his team mates, is a winning strategy. Rohit Sharma's decision to believe in Jaiswal during his underperformance periods and keeping faith in spin bowler Kuldeep Yadav during crucial moments have paid off.
What Makes Mumbai Indians the Most Successful Team of IPL
Mumbai Indians is undoubtedly the best team in IPL. The reasons why they have dominated the tournament are complex and multifaceted:
1. Strong Captaincy
Rohit Sharma is a strong captain; he can hold his calmness under pressure and trust his team mates when needed. For example, in 2015-17, he believed in Jaiswal when he had poor performances but was productive in 2018-20. Similarly, Dhoni trusted Watson despite his poor season and saw the best out of him.
2. Team Picking and Strong Team Management
MI has a strong vision and a distant outlook for building the team. They saw the need for a good death over specialist in 2015 and picked Bhuvneshwar Kumar, grooming him until 2017. This foresight is rare, and it was their team management that allowed them to have strong performances in every auction. They spent very little on players but still managed to rest other teams' players, who performed well after leaving MI.
3. Making a Strong Core Indian Side
Mumbai Indians have always kept their Indian players in the top order, regardless of their international experience. Players like Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Krunal Pandya, and Rahul Chahar have flourished in the IPL, helping MI to build a strong core. MI’s vision was to create a strong team rather than focus on winning the trophy in a particular season. They picked every resource they wanted and spent less in auctions, ensuring the growth and development of their players.
4. Strong Bowling, Batting, Fielding, and All-Rounders
Mumbai Indians' bowling unit has always been strong, producing wickets when needed. They have an excellent fielding record, with fewest catch drops. Their batting serves best with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock, and Suryakumar Yadav. Their all-rounders, the Pandya brothers, and Kieron Pollard, have played pivotal roles in the team's success.
Finally, it's not just about Ambani producing trophies for MI. Five IPL champions and two T20I champions cannot be achieved overnight. It requires perfect planning and execution over a period of time to consolidate and establish a legacy that MI have.