3 best foreign batsmen who have represented Mumbai Indians in IPL history

Mumbai Indians have been the most successful team in IPL history having won 3 out of the 11 editions they have played thus far. Though Chennai Super Kings also won their 3rd title last year, the Mumbai Indians was the first ever IPL franchise to win the title thrice.

They had made their IPL debut in 2008. But, had to wait for 5 seasons before lifting their maiden IPL trophy in 2013. Owned by Mukesh Ambani, this franchise had a disastrous start to the IPL as they could not make it to the top 4 of the first two seasons despite having the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, Shaun Pollock, Zaheer Khan and Robin Uthappa in the squad.

However, their fortunes changed in 2010 as they made it to the final that season. From 2010-2015, Mumbai Indians always qualified for the playoffs. This streak came to an end in 2016 when they crashed out in the league stage. Mumbai Indians won the championship in 2017 just to fail to qualify for playoffs in 2018.

Along with the Indian players, the foreign batsmen have also played a huge role in MI's success. Here are the 3 best foreign batsmen who have represented Mumbai Indians in IPL history -

#3 Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler played for Mumbai Indians from 2016-17

English wicket-keeper batsman, Jos Buttler was a part of the Ambani-owned franchise in IPL 2016 and 2017. The flamboyant batsman played 14 matches for Mumbai Indians in the 2016 edition where he smashed 255 runs at an average of 23.18. His strike-rate of 138.58 helped Mumbai Indians score runs at a quick rate.

Next year, Jos Buttler's performance improved a lot as he aggregated 272 runs in 10 matches, at a strike-rate of 153.67. Mumbai released Buttler ahead of the 2018 season but the owners would have regretted that move very much as Buttler scored 548 runs for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2018.

#2 Sanath Jayasuriya

Sanath Jayasuriya used to open the innings for MI along with Sachin Tendulkar

Sri Lanka's legendary all-rounder, Sanath Jayasuriya was amongst the marquee players that Mumbai Indians signed ahead of the inaugural season. He represented the Mumbai Indians in 3 seasons before calling it a day on his IPL career.

Sanath scored the first ever century of his IPL career in the first season itself. He had a strike-rate of 165.77 that year as Jayasuriya finished with 494 runs to his name in IPL 2008.

Next season, his performance dipped a lot as his strike-rate fell to 115. Also, he could only score 2 half-centuries in IPL 2009 which was held in South Africa. In 2010, he played 4 matches where he aggregated 33 runs before he called it a day on his IPL career.

Jayasuriya was also a decent left-arm spinner and Mumbai Indians made full use of his spin bowling. The Sri Lankan had scalped 13 wickets in his 3-year long IPL career.

#1 Lendl Simmons

Lendl Simmons changed the fortunes of Mumbai Indians with his batting skills

At a time when Mumbai Indians were struggling to find an opener who could provide a fiery start in the powerplay overs, Lendl Simmons joined the side as a replacement player in 2014. Simmons scored 394 runs in just 8 games and led his team to the playoffs that year.

The West Indian opener also hit his first ever IPL century that year in a match against Kings XI Punjab. In IPL 2015, his performances at the top of the order helped MI win their 2nd IPL championship.

Simmons was one of the top contenders to win the Orange Cap as he finished that season as the joint 2nd highest run-getter that year, with a tally of 540 runs.

He got injured in 2016 as Martin Guptill replaced replaced him in the side. In 2017, he scored 137 runs in 7 matches, before being released by the Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2018.