Mumbai Indians (MI) tasted massive success in the Indian Premier League (IPL) during star India opener Rohit Sharma’s captaincy stint from 2013 to 2022. The team won five trophies under him and became the most successful team in the history of the league. In 2023, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) also won their fifth title and equalled MI’s record for most IPL titles.
MI have always focused on strengthening themselves in all departments of the game to extract the desired results in the tournament. In 16 years of IPL, Mumbai got the services of extraordinary batters who helped them become and maintain the image of a formidable side. As a batter, Rohit himself knew how important is to have a strong batting unit so he never compromised with the batting quality of the team.
Before the 2024 IPL, MI have appointed Hardik Pandya as their captain. The 30-year-old’s responsibility will be to take Rohit’s legacy ahead. Loyal MI fans will also want Pandya to maintain the quality of the team’s batting line-up. Ahead of the 2024 IPL, let’s recall MI’s five best knocks that reside forever in the hearts of cricket fans.
Here are MI’s five greatest batting performances of all time in IPL:
5. Sachin Tendulkar’s unbeaten 100 against Kochi Tuskers Kerala in 2010
In 2011, Mumbai Indians (MI) couldn’t win the trophy under Sachin Tendulkar’s leadership but the captain looked exceptional with his bat and ended up as the third-leading run-getter in the competition. The Master Blaster also hit his only IPL ton of his career in that season.
Against Kochi Tuskers Kerala at the Wankhede Stadium, Tendulkar looked outstanding and played an unbeaten 100 off 66 to help his team post 182 runs on the board. His sensational knock included 12 fours and three maximums. In the end, Kochi emerged victorious by eight wickets but the batting maestro’s innings got etched in MI fans’ hearts.
4. Kieron Pollard’s 51 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2016
Kieron Pollard served MI for 12 years from 2010 to 2022 and in those 12 years, he was one of the loyal servants of the team. In 2016, the West Indies legend smashed the fastest fifty of his IPL career against the two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium and guided MI to a superb six-wicket win.
In the crucial league game, Pollard stepped up and clobbered KKR bowlers all over the ground to take his team home with his 17-ball 51-run innings. The Caribbean player’s knock is the fastest fifty for MI in the league.
3. Sanath Jayasuriya’s unbeaten 114 against Chennai Super Kings in 2008
Back in 2008, when MI met CSK for the second time in IPL, Sri Lanka opener Sanath Jayasuriya made the match memorable for the former’s fans with his unbeaten 114-run knock off just 48 deliveries. The match is unforgettable for Mumbai’s supporters as it is the first century for MI in the cash-rich league.
Following a decent total of 157 at the Wankhede Stadium, MI always looked dominant as Jayasuriya displayed his wrath and took CSK’s bowling unit to the cleaners. In his match-winning innings, he hit nine fours and 11 maximums. His stunning knock guided MI to a nine-wicket win and also got him the Player of the Match award.
2. Cameron Green’s unbeaten 100 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2023
Australia all-rounder Cameron Green was snapped up by MI for a hefty sum of INR 17.50 crore in the 2023 IPL auction. The Aussie couldn’t do much for Mumbai with the ball in his debut season but as a batter, he helped the team to pocket some important contests.
On the last day of the league round, MI were required to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Wankhede Stadium to qualify for the playoffs. Chasing a massive target of 201 after winning the toss, MI witnessed a magnificent batting effort from Green and chased down the total in 18 overs. The Aussie stalwart scored an unbeaten 100 off just 47 and became the recipient of the Player of the Match award.
1. Corey Anderson’s unbeaten 95 off 44 against Rajasthan Royals in 2014
New Zealand player Corey Anderson’s unbeaten 95-run innings for MI against Rajasthan Royals in 2014 will never be forgotten by any cricket fan. At the iconic Wankhede Stadium, MI needed a miraculous batting display to complete the enormous total of 190 in 14.4 overs and qualify for the playoffs.
In the crunch situation, Anderson showed the nerves of steel and took RR’s bowling unit to the cleaners. The New Zealander stood at the crease until the end and helped his team cross the finish line. His spunky knock included nine fours and six maximums. In the hosts’ notable triumph, Anderson’s batting effort was recognised as he ended up becoming the Player of the Match.
from IPL Live Score | IPL News, IPL 2024 Updates, Squads & Results - CricTracker