Mumbai Indians know how to turn the tides in their favour, but will they do it in IPL 2017? © AFP
Mumbai Indians know how to turn the tides in their favour, but will they do it in IPL 2017? © AFP

Rohit Sharma led-Mumbai Indians (MI) are one of the most celebrated Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. Having lifted the silverware twice since the inception of the highly rated Twenty20 (T20) league from India, Mumbai Paltan has seen some of the best international players don the shiny blue jersey over the period of last 9 years. They started the IPL journey with the tag of being the most expensive team in 2008 and since then, MI have seen some of the best and the worst moments. Fortunes did not favour the Mumbai-based team till the third season when Sachin Tendulkar led the side to the finals of IPL 2010 only to get defeated by MS Dhoni’s now suspended – Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the final.

In 2011, they sealed a top-four position but crashed out in the second qualifier against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). But respite came in the Champions League T20, where they avenged their loss by defeating RCB the same year. They finally clinched IPL trophy in 2013 and followed it up with the Champions League T20 title. They could not keep up with the momentum the following year and bowed out of tournament in the eliminatorBut Rohit displayed superlative form the following year to once again clinch the IPL title in 2015 defeating CSK 

Since the past 9 seasons, MI have seen 7 different captains – Shaun Pollack (2008), Tendulkar (2008-2011), Dwayne Bravo (2010), Harbhajan Singh (2008-2012), Ricky Pointing (2013) Kieron Pollard (2014) and finally Rohit (2013- present).

Out of the total 9 seasons, MI could not make it to the top four only in the first two seasons. Otherwise, they were eliminated in the playoffs thrice, were runners-up once while were the crowned champions twice.

Over the span of 9 years, MI have played a total of 141 IPL games till date and 21 Champions League games taking the total tally to 162. So now let’s have a look at the statistical highlights from MI’s 139 IPL matches.

Most matches

Harbhajan Singh

125
Ambati Rayudu

109
Kieron Pollard

106
Lasith Malinga

98
Rohit Sharma

97

Harbhajan Singh leads the table for playing the most number of games for MI with 125 having been the side since the first season. But Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard are well in the race.

Most runs
Rohit Sharma

2,704
Sachin Tendulkar

2,334
Ambati Rayudu

2,325
Kieron Pollard

1,958
Lendl Simmons

942

Rohit tops the list for being the highest run-scorer for his side leading from the front. But the second place — Saach staggering runs — goes to Tendulkar. Rayudu too has been a vital part of his team being consistent throughout followed by Kieron Pollard, the Trini powerhouse.  

100s
Player Runs Against Season
Sanath Jayasuriya 114 (48) Chennai Super Kings 2008
Sachin Tendulkar 100* (66) Kochi Tuskers Kerala 2011
Rohit Sharma 109* (60) Kolkata Knight Riders 2012
Lendl Simmons 100* (61) Kings XI Punjab 2014

Now that we are dealing with runs, here is the list of the centurions for Mumbai topped by two Legends with captain Rohit again in contention. Lendl Simmons, too has been amongst runs since joining the side in 2014 and being in the only 4 centurions for MI.

Most 50s
Rohit Sharma

22
Sachin Tendulkar

14
Ambati Rayudu

13
Lendl Simmons

10
Kieron Pollard

9

Captain Rohit has scored the most number of runs for MI thanks to his great form when at the helm. Tendulkar ranks second but Rayudu again here has grabbed the attention

Most 4s
Sachin Tendulkar 295
Rohit Sharma 227
Ambati Rayudu 198
Kieron Pollard 131
Lendl Simmons 99

Come on guys, it is runs that we are dealing with. Saach is the greatness. You can’t help but picture him playing one of those glorious cover drives. Can you? Followed by captain Rohit, Rayudu and Pollard too have been amongst the boundaries. 

Most 6s
Kieron Pollard 125
Rohit Sharma 112
Ambati Rayudu 76
Harbhajan Singh 40
Sanath Jayasuriya 39

The West Indies powerhouse has topped the list of those mammoth sixes for obvious reasons. But again Rohit has ensured of being in the contention followed by Rayudu.

Most wickets
Lasith Malinga 143
Harbhajan Singh 119
Kieron Pollard 56
Munaf Patel 40
Dhawal Kulkarni 36

When you have Malinga the Slinger to lead the bowling attack, how can you even expect someone else to have the maximum wickets? Let’s not ignore Harbhajan here, but somehow Malinga just grabs the attention back with his One Four Three wickets.

Most maidens
Lasith Malinga 8
Harbhajan Singh 5
Munaf Patel 3

For Mumbai, when in bat it was Tendulkar and when it ball it has to be Malinga. The Sri Lankan speedster has bowled the maximum maidens for his franchise and has a tough competition from teammate Harbhajan. But Munaf Patel is the surprise entry here.

Most 4WIs
Lasith Malinga 5
Munaf Patel 3
Harbhajan Singh 2

Again no surprises, as Malinga scalps 4 wickets 5 times with Munaf again being a surprise entry here.

5WIs

Player

BBI

Against

Season

Lasith Malinga

  5/13

Delhi Daredevils

2011

Harbajan Singh

  5/18

Chennai Super Kings

2011

Lasith Malinga

  5/21

Kings XI Punjab

2011

Malinga yet again (twice) and look at those figures. Harbhajan has been giving him a tough fight, but Malinga has definitely done the maximum damage for MI throughout his time with IPL.

Best economy
Shaun Pollock 6.54
Lasith Malinga 6.67
Harbhajan Singh 7.00
Mitchell Johnson 7.17
Zaheer Khan 7.24

If there is someone who could have toppled Malinga it had to be someone great isn’t it? So here it is – South Africa legend Shaun Pollack. Even though Pollack played just one season, the first one, there has been no one who could beat his stringent economical bowling figures.

Most catches
Kieron Pollard 55
Rohit Sharma 39
Harbhajan Singh 38
Ambati Rayudu 31
Sachin Tendulkar 23

Catches win matches – they say. And MI have some excellent pair of hands. The West Indies powerhouse tops the list for taking most catches which include some excellent diving and fully stretching ones. But after a short period, Rohit has again made a comeback to remain in the contention. Also, let’s appreciate the handy effort from Harbhajan and Rayudu. And who better to end the list other than the legend?

Most stumpings
Aditya Tare 5
Dinesh Karthik 4
Parthiv Patel 4
Yogesh Takawale 3
CM Gautam 3

As we are just talking about the catches and the safe pair of hands involved, let us also see the busiest pair of hands for MI. Aditya Tare, the Mumbai Ranji skipper was quite impressive behind the wicket with those quick stumpings, followed by Dinesh Karthik who now plays for Gujarat Lions (GL). But Parthiv Patel, who now plays for MI instead of Tare, has all the chances of going two places up to take the top spot.

Most dismissals
Dinesh Karthik 21
Parthiv Patel 20
Yogesh Takawale 14
Ambati Rayudu 13
Pinal Shah 10

Despite now not being the part of the current MI squad, Karthik still tops the list for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper. But Parthiv will soon be going up the ladder to be the most successful wicketkeeper for Mumbai.

Now having covered all most every criterion of the stats for the Mumbai Paltan, there can be no better way than to end this by showing up the list of their captains and their games they have played

As captain
Player Matches
Rohit Sharma 58
Sachin Tendulkar 51
Harbhajan Singh 20
Ricky Ponting 6
Shaun Pollock 4

Rohit tops the list having managed MI for 58 times and much more to come this season. Tendulkar also managed the side for a brief and successful period of time taking his tally to 51. Harbhajan, Pointing and Pollack have managed their side for a fair amount of time. But with all the other players having retired and with the form Rohit is in, there seems to be no chance of him getting replaced.