Who are the bowling heroes behind Mumbai Indians' IPL wins?
The Mumbai Indians, a colossus of the IPL, haven't built their empire solely on batting fireworks. Behind the scenes, a brigade of exceptional bowlers has silently toiled, weaving their magic with the ball. Today, we celebrate these heroes—the bowlers with the most wickets for MI throughout the IPL's history.
Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lankan slinga master, is a cricket legend. His name is synonymous with pinpoint yorkers and the ability to dismantle batting lineups at the death. Malinga, the undisputed leader of MI's bowling attack for years, holds the record for the most wickets for the franchise—a staggering 195 scalps in 139 matches.
His lethal bowling, characterised by an exceptional economy rate of 7.12, proved instrumental in MI's five IPL triumphs. Remember his fiery spell of 5/13 against the Delhi Capitals in the IPL of 2011? That was pure magic! Malinga's late overs were his playground, and batsmen knew they were in for a torrid time when he had the ball in his hand.
Jasprit Bumrah, MI's current pace spearhead, is a name that sends shivers down the spine of any batsman. His ability to consistently bowl yorkers at breakneck pace has earned him the reputation of being one of the world's best fast bowlers. With 148 wickets in just 123 matches, Bumrah is rapidly climbing the wicket-taking charts for MI.
His best bowling figure of 5/10 against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2022 showcased his mastery over the death overs. Bumrah isn't just a yorker machine; his sharp pace and deceptive slower balls make him a complete package, capable of taking wickets upfront and at the death. He's the torchbearer of MI's pace attack, seamlessly carrying forward the legacy of legends like Malinga.
Harbhajan Singh, the crafty off-spinner, was a vital cog in MI's bowling attack during his stint with the franchise (2008–2017). His experience and guile often bamboozled batsmen, especially in the middle overs. Harbhajan's record of 147 wickets in 158 matches speaks volumes about his contribution to MI's success.
His ability to control the flow of runs and pick up crucial wickets in the middle overs was invaluable. Remember his career-best spell of 5/18 against the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2011? That performance was a masterclass in spin bowling, derailing CSK's chase and putting MI on the path to victory.
Kieron Pollard, the Caribbean powerhouse, might be known more for his explosive batting, but his medium-pace bowling adds another dimension to his skillset. Over the years, Pollard has chipped in with crucial wickets, particularly in the middle overs. With 79 scalps in a mammoth 211 matches, he's the fourth-highest wicket-taker for MI.
His experience and ability to break partnerships make him a valuable asset. Pollard's medium pace can be surprisingly deceptive, and his ability to hit the hard line often troubles batsmen who are looking to score quickly. While not a frontline bowler, Pollard's handy bowling adds much-needed depth to the MI attack.
Mitchell McClenaghan, the New Zealand left-arm pacer, brought firepower to the MI attack during his time with the franchise (2015–2019). His aggressive bowling style, characterised by a potent swing, often rattled the opposition. McClenaghan's tally of 71 wickets in just 56 matches highlights his impact.
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His best bowling figure of 4/25 against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) showcased his ability to take wickets in clusters. McClenaghan was particularly effective with the new ball, using his swing to create early breakthroughs for MI. His left-arm angle provided a valuable point of difference in a pace attack dominated by right-arm seamers.
