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After a bit of uncertainty, the Mumbai Indians (MI) secured their passage into the playoffs of IPL 2023 with 16 points from eight games, that saw them finish the league stage in fourth position.
Having brushed past SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) with a thumping eight-wicket victory at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, May 21, they were helped by the Gujarat Titans (GT) ending the hopes of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) later that night.
Rohit Sharma and Co. will hope to cash in on their strong record in IPL playoffs, which reflects in them being the most successful franchise in the league's history with five titles.
Of course, while their bowlers have played a massive role to that end over the years, their batters have been equally pivotal to their cause.
Ahead of their Eliminator clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, May 24, we look at MI's top three run-scorers in the history of the IPL playoffs.
#3 Ambati Rayudu - 219 runs
Currently with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Ambati Rayudu was one of the biggest unsung heroes of MI during their glory years until 2017. His record in IPL playoffs for the franchise isn't an inspiring one, but he has always made his presence felt with crucial contributions that has aided the side to glory.
He has tallied 219 runs for MI in IPL playoffs at an average of 16.84 and a strike-rate of 108.95. Look beyond the numbers though and one can see the value of some of his knocks there.
With his team reeling at 16/3 in the final of the 2013 season against CSK, Rayudu stitched together pivotal partnerships with Dinesh Karthik first and then Kieron Pollard en route to a 36-ball 37.
He returned to torment his future team in the 2015 final, striking an invaluable 24-ball 36, while his highest score in MI colors in the IPL playoffs was a solid 40 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the semifinal of 2010.
Clearly, Rayudu's contributions for the franchise go a long way beyond what meets the eye in terms of numbers alone.
#2 Rohit Sharma - 266 runs
Skipper Rohit Sharma comes second on the list of batters who have scored the most runs in IPL playoffs for MI. His average and strike rate too don't make for great reading however, with his 266 runs coming at 16.62 runs per game at a strike-rate of 113.67.
Yet, much like Rayudu, Rohit has also stepped up with massive contributions on the big occasion.
He was the Player of the Match in the final of IPL 2015 with his 26-ball 50 setting the tone for his team's second title, while he top-scored with 68 off 51 deliveries in the 2020 final against Delhi Capitals (DC).
Having made it to the Eliminator of IPL 2023, the five-time champions will hope that their skipper comes good again as they seek a sixth crown.
#1 Kieron Pollard - 341 runs
Kieron Pollard always had a thing for the clutch games, which often brought the best out of him. The swashbuckling match-winner from Trinidad was a massive force behind MI's multiple title triumphs given his ability to take the game away from the opposition within the blink of an eye.
Pollard's 341 runs in the IPL playoffs for MI have come at an average of 26.23 and a belligerent strike-rate of 169.65. Having almost pulled off a heist against CSK in the final of IPL 2010, he bettered it in 2013 with an unbeaten 60 off 32 deliveries that saw him win the Player of the Match award.
He also struck a rapid 18-ball 36 that allowed Mumbai to bat the Super Kings out of the contest in the final of 2015, before top-scoring with an unbeaten 41 off 25 balls against the same opponents in the summit clash in 2019.
Apart from this, he also blitzed his way to an unbeaten 13-ball 33 in the semifinal of IPL 2010 against RCB, which MI went on to win.
Clearly, Pollard was built out of clutch mentality and it's no surprise that most of his exploits have directly translated into success for MI in the IPL playoffs.
What is your favorite knock by an MI batter in an IPL playoff match? Have your say in the comment section below!
Also read: IPL 2023: Best playing 11 of Week 7 ft. Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli
