Mumbai Indians' best XI of all times

Mumbai Indians are the joint most successful team in the history of the Indian Premier League. Having won 3 trophies in 2013, 2015 and 2017, the Mumbai team and their fans will be looking forward to continuing this sequence of winning the title every alternate year.

Mumbai have always shown promise, especially since 2010, when they first played the final. The kind of players that have played for this franchise have always attracted people towards liking this team.

The rivalry of Mumbai and Chennai is one of the most cherished moments in the IPL history. The IPL has witnessed 3 IPL finals where Mumbai Indians locked horns with the Chennai Super Kings, with Mumbai winning the match and the trophy on 2 of these 3 occasions.

Mumbai Indians have had some all-time greats in their team in these 11 years. Here is a list of the best XI out of all those who have ever played for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL:

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Openers

Both these players have had the key to MI's fortunes

One of the openers has to the lord of cricket, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar. He played for his home team for 6 seasons, starting from 2008 and retiring after winning the 2013 season. He was the captain of the team till the 2012 season. Having won the Orange Cap in 2010, he scored 618 runs in 15 innings. He is still associated with the Mumbai Indians as a mentor.

The player at the non-striker's end has to be none other than the team's current captain, Rohit Sharma. The third-highest run scorer of the Indian Premier League, Rohit Sharma has been captaining the Mumbai side since 2013, after Ricky Ponting, the captain in that season, was benched due to poor form. Since then, Mumbai have never looked back. He will also be the captain of this best XI team for MI.

Middle Order

Rayudu and Pollard have reaped rewards for the trust that this team has put in them

One wicket down will bring in Ambati Rayudu. He had played for the MI team from 2010 to 2017, before going to CSK. He was one of the most reliable players for the Mumbai team. He also kept wickets for MI. Rayudu made 2418 runs while he was a part of this team.

Following Rayudu will be the big man from the Caribbean, Kieron Pollard. Polly, as he is fondly called by the team, was bought by the MI in the year 2010. Since then, he has been part of the MI family.

He is someone that the team owners trust to be one of the most lethal players in the T20 format. He is an explosive batsman, a medium pacer and a gun fielder. This package makes him perfect for the No. 4 slot.

Pandya brothers have a long journey ahead with MI

Coming to No. 5 and No. 6, it has to be the two Pandya brothers. In the last three years, they have had a large part to play in what Mumbai Indians have achieved. One is a spin bowling all-rounder, while the other is a pace bowling all-rounder. One is a left-hander while other is a right hander. This not only gives variation, but also the perfect balance a side needs.

Both of them can bat as well, and these skills have got them both into the Indian cricket team as well.

Lower Middle Order

Harbhajan Singh was a match-winner for the Mumbai team

The Lower Middle order has to have Harbhajan Singh in it. The only known spinner who has made an impact for this team is Bhajji.

Harbhajan SIngh has been a part of the Mumbai setup right since the first season, till the 2017 season of the Indian Premier League. Harbhajan Singh has a total of 134 wickets out of which 127 came when he was part of the MI setup. Since last year, much like Ambati Rayudu, Singh is a part of the Chennai team.

Following Harbhajan Singh will be a string of 4 fast bowlers. Out of the four, three are foreigners. At No. 8 is Mitchell McClenaghan.

McClenaghan had a big part to play in the 2015 winning team

McClenaghan was the go-to man for Rohit Sharma in the 2015 season, where MI eventually won the title.This New Zealand bowler was in full flow then, taking wickets at crucial junctures, turning matches in MI's favour on most occasions.

Tail-enders

Mitchell Johnson has very good records in the IPL in the blue jersey

The second foreigner in the fast bowling unit is Mitchell Johnson, who had a part to play in the 2017 title-winning journey. He defended 11 runs in the last over to bring the title to the Wankhede for the third time. He was also a part of the 2013 winning team.

Following him would be the best bowler in the history of the IPL. Lasith Malinga has been an absolute asset for the Mumbai Indians, since the first season of the IPL. His death over bowling has remained the best for years now.

The best death overs bowler currently is Jasprit Bumrah. And he has learnt it from Malinga. While Malinga is nearing his retirement, young Bumrah has just started.

These two solve the death bowling headaches for the MI team

Bumrah, also a part of MI for years now, will occupy the last slot of the best XI for Mumbai Indians. Bumrah has bloomed over the last 2-3 years, making progression at a rapid rate. He is not only an asset for the MI team but also the best bowler in the current Indian cricket team.

He has shown quality improvement and is now a regular in all three formats of the game for India. He has an exceptional IPL record as well, and the in the last couple of years, he has been the best bowler for the Mumbai Indians.

So, this is the best XI for the Mumbai Indians.

Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma (C), Ambati Rayudu (WK), Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mitchell Johnson, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah.

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