CLT20 2014: SWOT analysis of Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians (MI), along with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), have been one of the most consistent IPL teams ever since the tournament’s inception in 2008. They may have had a shaky start as a franchise, having not qualified for the knockout stages of the IPL in the first two seasons, but have turned their fortunes around emphatically since then and are one of the most formidable T20 sides at the moment.Apart from having won the IPL in 2013, they have also won the CLT20 title twice in 2011 and 2013. With the 6th edition of the CLT20 about to get underway this weekend, let us take a detailed look at the Mumbai Indians and their chances of mounting a formidable defence of the title.Qualifying stage fixtures:Sep 13: v Lahore Lions, RaipurSep 14: v Southern Express, RaipurSep 16: v Northern Districts, Raipur

#1 Strengths

As far as strengths of Mumbai Indians are concerned, there are none greater than possessing Lasith Malinga. Despite Malinga now being 31 years old and seemingly reaching the twilight of his career, he undoubtedly remains the best death bowler in the world and has been one of the core members of the team over the last couple of years in particular. If Mumbai Indians are to go far in this years tournament, he will once again be expected to play a critical role especially considering the overall inexperience of the bowlers around him.

Mumbai Indians, arguably, have the most explosive middle-order in this years competition with the presence of Ambati Rayudu, Corey Anderson and Kieron Pollard in the top 6 of the batting line-up. You only have to look at Mumbai Indians stunning run chase of 190, within 15 overs, against Rajasthan Royals in last seasons IPL to realize what they are capable of when they all get going.

#2 Weaknesses

Mumbai Indians seemed to be in good shape for the tournament even a couple of weeks ago, but Rohit Sharma’s finger injury which has ruled him out of the two-week event is a huge jolt to them and has put their plans in jeopardy at the very last moment. The 27-year old’s injury has meant that they have not only lost their captain but also one of the best T20 batsmen in the world currently. He might have had his issues in international cricket, but you can’t deny that he has been at his conquering best whenever he has put on the Mumbai Indians jersey and will certainly be missed.

They are also lightweight in the bowling department with the injury to Zaheer Khan as a result of which they will have to rely excessively on Malinga and Harbhajan Singh, and that might end up costing them in the latter stages of the tournament.

#3 Opportunities

Mumbai Indians had a poor 2014 IPL by their generally high standards, and they will be looking to make amends for that by doing well in this competition. Lets not forget that they are defending champions, having won last seasons CL T20, and they will be in no mood to relinquish the title without giving a good fight right till the very end.

Kieron Pollard, who had a relatively quiet IPL, will also be extremely keen to lift his game and prove a point to his critics, which might end up working to the teams advantage. Apart from that, Ambati Rayudu, who is slowly starting to become more prominent in the national team, will want to continue impressing the Indian selectors by amassing big scores in the CL T20. And he has a glorious opportunity to do just that given the fact that he, in all probability, will be batting at No.3 or No.4 in this tournament as a result of Rohits injury.

#4 Threats

Mumbai Indians will have to, first of all, get past the qualifying stages of the CL T20 in order to participate in the tournament proper, and therein lies their biggest threat in my opinion. Traditionally known as slow starters, they have no room for that here and will have to get going right from the outset given the crammed schedule of the qualifiers.

They will also have to guard against complacency while being pitted against supposedly smaller teams, which they have been guilty of on a few occasions in the past. They lost to the Highveld Lions in their opening match of the CL T20 in 2012, and they need to be beware of that because a similar slip-up this time around will result in them bowing out of the competition even before it begins.