IPL 2020 Preview: Mumbai Indians (MI)
Mumbai Indians (MI) edged out Chennai Super Kings in a close encounter to win their record fourth Indian Premier League title last year, and remain among the cricket betting favorites in IPL 2020.
With the 13th season of the IPL getting underway, Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai will eye their second title in a row, and fifth overall. With Quinton de Kock, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Kieron Pollard at their disposal, Mumbai look ready for another big year in the betting markets and on the pitch.
Lasith Malinga, the most successful bowler in the IPL, will likely only be available for the playoffs, as he excused himself to take care of his ailing father. But once he returns, Malinga’s bowling can help Mumbai win crucial matches and could be a strong option in the individual betting markets.
Filled with star-studded players, Mumbai have the match-winner players who can rise to the occasion to help their team and cricket bettors alike in 2020.
Let’s take a look at Mumbai’s odds in the tournament set to start from September 19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
HOW TO BET ON IPL 2020?
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IPL is a great tournament to place bets on. Defending champions Mumbai Indians are among the favourites and bettors will certainly be having an eye on the team. Online cricket betting goes up a notch owing to the nature of IPL, the format and the players involved. Betting on IPL cricket is easy as 1-2-3:
- Choose a betting site from the list above and open an account; bonuses are available
- Pick your deposit option and load funds in INR; many bookmakers accept credit/debit cards, bank transfers and e-wallets
- Learn about betting odds and go ahead with placing your bet!
WHAT ARE THE ODDS FOR MUMBAI INDIANS TO WIN IPL 2020?
If you’re taking an IPL satta online, Betway lists Mumbai Indians at odds of 5.00 to win the IPL Cup—co-favorites with Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Mumbai Indians have never won back-to-back IPL titles, but they have historically been a force to be reckoned with, especially since 2010 when they first finished as runners-up. Their titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019 established Mumbai as the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
This season, while MI have retained most of their players, new signings Chris Lynn and Nathan Coulter-Nile, plus young guns Mohsin Khan, Digvijay Deshmukh and Prince Balwant Rai Singh will add to Mumbai’s strengths and chances for success in IPL betting.
WHO ARE THE BEST MUMBAI INDIANS PLAYERS TO BET ON?
Rohit Sharma is the best bet for the bookmakers and bettors in IPL 2020 odds after leading the team to four titles as skipper. Sharma took over Mumbai’s captaincy in 2013 and turned it into the most successful franchise in the tournament. Known for his cool attitude and smart decisions as a skipper, Rohit scored 405 runs in 15 matches last season. He is a versatile player who can open the bat or play in the middle order, with equal effectiveness.
Mumbai have one of the most explosive openers in the tournament. Quinton de Kock took bowlers by storm last year, aggregating 529 runs in 16 matches. Openers Suryakumar Yadav (424 runs in 16) and hard-hitter Chris Lynn (405 runs in 13 matches) can also impress with their batting skills.
Hardik Pandya has installed himself as one of the best all-rounders in the IPL. His 402 runs and 16 wickets in as many matches last season speak volumes about his prowess with the bat and the ball. Hard-hitting Kieron Pollard can also be a valuable asset in both areas.
Pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be Mumbai’s best bet in the bowling department. He is India’s best bowler in death overs, and highest wicket-taker for Mumbai last season with 19 scalps in 16 matches. He will be joined by talented New Zealander bowler Trent Boult, and left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya whose all-rounder game can come handy for Mumbai.
MUMBAI INDIANS’ TOP-PAID PLAYERS
Compared with other IPL teams, Mumbai pay some big wages. That’s one of the reasons why they are a strong prospect for matka gambling.
Rohit Sharma tops the chart with a $2.1 million price tag, followed by Hardik Pandya with $1.5 million. That figure puts him ahead of his brother, Krunal, another valuable player at $1.2 million.
Among foreign players, who have signed for Mumbai this year, Nathan Counter-Nile is the costliest cricketer. The Mumbai outfit has signed the Australian pace bowler for $1.1 million.
Two Indian players drop just below the seven-figure mark. Namely, Jasprit Bumrah at $974,000, followed by Ishan Kishan at $862,000. Salaries for incoming players aren’t widely disclosed. However, it’s clear that Mumbai are big payers. Will that money be enough to turn another profit in the IPL betting markets this season?
MUMBAI INDIANS: TEAM HISTORY
The Mumbai Indians have been in the Indian Premier League since it began in 2008. They have won a record four titles so far and are currently a powerhouse in Indian cricket.
Since the inception of the IPL tournament, Mumbai Indians have had some of the best players in the world. The presence of Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya, Shaun Pollock and Lasith Malinga over the years bears testimony to that.
MI was one of the strongest teams in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008. However, it failed to live up to its reputation and didn’t qualify for the semifinals. In 2009, they slipped further to finish seventh.
MI’s rise to prominence in IPL betting started in 2010 when it reached the finals. The team lost to Chennai Super Kings in the title clash and drew criticism for making tactical errors. But Mumbai’s purple patch had started and the team made playoffs each of the next two years. Their best was yet to come.
It came under Rohit’s captaincy in 2013 when the team emerged triumphant not only in IPL, but also in the Champions League T20, an international club championship.
Mumbai won its second title in 2015, losing four early matches before winning nine of the final 10 to win the IPL Cup and please cricket bettors who supported them. The Mumbai outfit beat Chennai Super Kings by 41 runs in the title clash. Lendl Simmons, Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard and Ambati Rayudu, were instrumental in Mumbai’s victorious campaign.
Mumbai finished fifth in the points table in 2016, but they again rose to prominence in 2017. Playing in a low-score final, MI beat the Pune Supergiant by one run in a last-ball nail-biter finish.
Mumbai entered the 2018 tournament as one of the favourites in the IPL betting markets, but finished with a lacklustre showing. Uncharacteristic for this successful franchise, MI finished in fifth place, and thus missed the playoffs.
In 2019, Mumbai Indians proceeded to win the championship for a record fourth time, beating their arch-rivals and defending champions Chennai Super Kings. It was the second time in three years that the final saw the victor decided by a one-run margin.
IPL RECORD
Here are the Mumbai Indians’ results in the Indian Premier League since the tournament began in 2008:
2008: Fifth
2009: Seventh
2010: Second
2011: Third
2012: Fourth
2013: Champions
2014: Fourth
2015: Champions
2016: Fifth
2017: Champions
2018: Fifth
2019: Champions
Mumbai Indians were slow starters in the Indian Premier League. Nonetheless, they have been in the playoffs most years since 2010. Once they started gaining success, MI remained consistent with strong performances.
Though they didn’t make knockout stage in all editions of the tournament, four titles in seven seasons display the recent IPL dominance by Mumbai Indians.
MI’s current squad looks better than last year. With a good shot to retain the title in 2020, IPL cricket bettors could cash in.
NOTABLE PLAYER MOVEMENT
Mumbai Indians spent most of their offseason budget signing Nathan Counter-Nile. Chris Lynn, Trent Boult and Sherfane Rutherford are other notable names who moved to the Mumbai Indians this season.
Among notable Indians names, Saurabh Tiwary is a big name. But the player is past his prime. It will be interesting to see if he repeats his performance of 2010, when he amassed 419 runs in 16 matches. Youngsters Mohsin Khan, Digvijay Deshmukh and Prince Balwant Rai Singh are new entrants who can make their presence felt at global stage.
While Mumbai Indians have retained their core players, they have released 12 players: Evin Lewis, Adam Milne, Jason Behrendorff, Beuran Hendricks, Ben Cutting, Yuvraj Singh, Mayank Markande (traded out), Barinder Sran, Rasikh Salam, Pankaj Jaswal, Siddhesh Lad (traded out) and Alzarri Joseph.
With a strong squad in their hands, Mumbai have a shot at the IPL title.
PROJECTED MUMBAI INDIANS PLAYING XI IN IPL 2020
Mumbai Indians have stiff competition for the opening slot. Rohit Sharma can open bat with Quinton de Kock. Rohit can also promote Chris Lynn to the first slot and drop himself down the order.
Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan can form the strong middle order, while Kieron Pollard will surely get a slot in the middle order.
Jasprit Bumrah will open the ball with Trent Boult, but Nathan Counter-Nile can also be given preference given Mumbai Indians have spent a lot of money on him.
Looking at this squad, if we were taking an IPL satta online, 2020 would hopefully give us the following Mumbai starting XI.
- Quinton De Kock
- Chris Lynn
- Rohit Sharma
- Ishan Kishan
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Kieron Pollard
- Hardik Pandya
- Krunal Pandya
- Rahul Chahar
- Nathan Counter-Nile
- Jasprit Bumrah
MI: TEAM STRENGTHS
Mumbai Indians have a strong batting lineup. They have multiple options to open the bat. Though Kieron Pollard is not as consistent as he used to be, Mumbai have a reliable middle-order which can pull out the team from dire straits if the top order falters.
With Bumrah, Counter-Nile and Boult at their disposal, Mumbai’s pace department is a potent force. It is no wonder they are ranked quite high in satta market.
MI: TEAM WEAKNESS
Mumbai have Krunal Pandya and Rahul Chahar as their two main spinners, but if we leave these two spinners apart, the team doesn’t have many options.
Since the team already had depth in their batting, it could have taken a quality spinner instead of going for a pacer in the auction. Since pitches at the UAE assist spinners, the team could have arrived at the tournament with more spinners in the squad.
WHO ARE THE OWNERS OF MUMBAI INDIANS?
Reliance Industries, the biggest conglomerate in India, owns the Mumbai Indians. This makes them one of the richest clubs at the IPL.
Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani are the familiar faces of Reliance. Nita, in particular, is a vocal supporter of her team.
WHAT IS THE HOME GROUND OF MUMBAI INDIANS?
Since the IPL is being played outside India, none of the teams have the home advantage for bettors in 2020. The matches will be played in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Mumbai Indians are full of cricketers who have played around the world, so playing at a neutral venue won’t be difficult for them. Mumbai batsmen can make most of slow pitches at the UAE. They can compile big scores which will be easy to defend.
Prior to 2020, Mumbai Indians have played most of their home games at the Wankhede Stadium in the city. This famous ground has hosted many international matches. It will therefore be very familiar to cricket fans both inside and outside of India.
Built in 1974, the Wankhede has a small capacity of just over 33,000. But that sees the ground packed with noisy Mumbai fans, making it an intimidating place for visiting teams. So the Indians are a sound option in online cricket betting markets when playing at home.
When they have to move away from their first choice, Mumbai Indians have a second venue in the city. Namely, the 25,000 capacity Brabourne Stadium.
MUMBAI INDIANS: FAST FACTS
The following facts and statistics were updated at the end of IPL 2019.
- The leading run scorer in the history of Mumbai Indians cricket is Rohit Sharma. The long-term skipper has amassed 4,898 runs with a top score of 109 not out. He is also the third on the list of top run-makers in IPL, behind Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina.
- Sanath Jayasuriya has the highest individual score. The Sri Lankan hit an undefeated 114 against Chennai Super Kings in the first edition of the IPL in 2008.
- Alzarri Joseph has the record for the best bowling figure by a bowler in the IPL. He took six wickets for 12 runs against the Sunrisers Hyderabad last year.
- Mumbai players Rohit Sharma and Herschelle Gibbs hold the record for the highest batting partnership. The pair put on an unbroken 167 for the second wicket against KKR in 2012.
- The highest team total by Mumbai is 223/6. This was made against Kings XI Punjab in 2017.
- MI’s lowest score is 87, against the Kings XI Punjab in 2010 and the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018.
- It’s back to Rohit Sharma for the most individual scores over 50. The captain has made 28 half centuries with one score in three figures.
- The most prolific Mumbai Indians bowler, Lasith Malinga, also holds the record for most wickets in the IPL. Malinga currently has 170 victims to his name from 122 matches.
- Three Mumbai players have taken five wickets in an innings. However, it’s back to Lasith Malinga for the best bowling figures. The seamer returned an impressive 5/13 against the Delhi Daredevils in 2011.
- Sharma holds the team record for most catches by an outfielder. He has taken 83 catches from 188 games, just ahead of Kieron Pollard who has 82.
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For more IPL 2020 team previews, top players and betting odds, click below:
Chennai Super Kings | Delhi Capitals | Kings XI Punjab | Kolkata Knight Riders | Rajasthan Royals | Royal Challengers Bangalore | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
