IPL 2018: 4 reasons why Mumbai Indians can retain the title

The most successful team in the history of the IPL and the current Champions Mumbai Indians have always been a fan favourite. Mumbai Indians could not reach the playoffs in the first two seasons but after that, they became a superpower in IPL.They have reached seven IPL playoffs and won three IPL titles(the only team to do so).

After the Mega Auctions and the return of former champions Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, this is almost a new start for the Mumbai based franchise. But the MI Paltan look strong as ever after the 2018 IPL auctions and they look set to win their fourth IPL Title this year.

Here we take a look at the 5 reasons why this could be MI's year once again:

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#1 Captain Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma will be crucial in MI's title defence this year

Rohit Sharma is IPL's most successful captain of all time as he is the only player to have won three IPL Trophies as a Captain. He took over the team’s captaincy a couple of games into the 2013 season and led MI to their maiden IPL title and then led MI in the Champions League T20 and completed a grand double when they clinched the title.

Rohit's MI again won the IPL in 2015 and 2017. The Mumbaikar has been a star player in the IPL right from the beginning and was also instrumental in his former side Deccan Chargers winning the 2009 IPL Title. IPL is a long tournament and winning it requires experience and mental toughness and Rohit has exhibited both these qualities in the past.

The Hitman will also be crucial as a batsman for the Mumbai side as he can bat both at the top of the order as well as in the middle order. He has been in the form of his life in the past couple of years, scoring a third double hundred and equaling the record for the fastest hundred in T20Is in late 2017.

However, he is yet to show his best in the IPL, and this could well be the year for the Hitman to showcase his true potential in the IPL and lead his team to yet another IPL glory.

#2 The core group is back

Pandya Brothers will be crucial for MI this year

Over the past 10 years, a lot of teams have spent big in the auctions and played a star-studded lineup but that doesn't always work out. Spending big in the auctions is not the key to success in IPL. The key to performing well in big tournaments like IPL is the understanding between the players and the atmosphere in the dressing room and that is why all successful IPL teams try to retain their key players.

Mumbai Indians have always been loyal to its players and is known to retain its key players. This season too Mumbai successfully retained its core group of players who led them to the trophy in 2017. Mumbai retained Captain Rohit Sharma, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah before the auctions, and then spent big in the auctions to avail the services of Kieron Pollard and Krunal Pandya.

With its five key players back in the squad, MI also added some new players to provide freshness to the team and this squad look capable enough to win another IPL Title for the Mumbai Indians.

#3 Lethal pace attack

Mumbai Indians have a strong pace attack led by Jasprit Bumrah

Mumbai Indians have one of the most lethal pace attacks of the tournament this season. MI have the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mustafizur Rahman, Pat Cummins and Mitchell McClenaghan in their ranks, with all of them able to clock above 140 Kmph regularly. Adding to this deadly set of fast bowlers, they also have proven fast bowling all-rounders in Hardik Pandya, Ben Cutting and Kieron Pollard, which will provide variety to their attack.

Jasprit Bumrah and Mustafizur Rahman are known for bowling toe-crushing yorkers and it won't be easy for the batsmen to score quickly against them. Whereas McClenaghan and Cummins will make life difficult for the opposition batsmen with their quick pace and variations.

These pacers will make the most of Wankhede wicket in MI's seven home games and will play a key role in Mumbai's title run this year.

#4 Well balanced squad

Mumbai Indians have a well-balanced squad this season

Mumbai Indians have one of the most balanced squads in this year's IPL. They have the right mix of batsmen, bowlers and world-class all-rounders. MI also have a good mix of Indian and foreign talent.

In their batting lineup, MI have got the likes of Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, Evin Lewis, Suryakumar Yadav, JP Duminy and Saurabh Tiwari in their ranks. MI have genuine fast bowlers and talented spinners in their bowling lineup. And to supplement their batting and bowling they have one of the best set of all-rounders in Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya and Ben Cutting.

MI have solid first team players as well as good backups and substitutes, in case any player gets injured or is out of form. With a balanced team like this, MI will be a competitive side on all kind of surfaces against all oppositions.