IPL: Mumbai Indians (MI) all-time greatest XI in league history

Mumbai Indians. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Mumbai Indians (MI) has dominated the Indian Premier League along with Chennai Super Kings. Both franchises have won the IPL five times, with MI being the first team to win it more than 3 times, breaking CSK’s record in 2020. 

MI also became the second franchise, to win the tournament two consecutive seasons, when Rohit Sharma captained the side to IPL wins in 2019 and 2020. MI has been one of the best franchises for players to play for, as they have given the Indian team many stars. They scouted the Pandya brothers Hardik and Krunal and also brought Jasprit Bumrah onto the big stage in the IPL. 

Many players have spent much time in the MI franchise and contributed to the success of the team and today we take a look at the all-time greatest MI XI in IPL history.

Here’s the Mumbai Indians (MI) all-time greatest XI in league history:

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar vs KKR. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Sachin Tendulkar has been the heart and soul of the Mumbai Indians franchise since its inception in 2008. He was named the icon player from Mumbai and remained part of the franchise till 2013. He also captained the side in several seasons. He is still associated as a mentor for the MI franchise a decade and more after his retirement.

Tendulkar played 78 IPL matches for MI from 2008-2013 and made 2’334 runs with one century and 13 fifties to his name. He averaged 34.48 and his strike rate was 119.81. He called time on his IPL career when the Rohit Sharma-led MI side clinched their maiden IPL title in 2013.

2. Rohit Sharma (C)

Rohit Sharma Mumbai Indians. (Photo Source: INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)

Rohit Sharm had started his career in IPL with Deccan Chargers before he was bought by Mumbai Indians in IPL 2011. He became captain of the side mid-way in IPL 2013, taking over from Ricky Ponting and leading the side to its maiden IPL title. Since then, he captained the side to four more IPL titles in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. He was replaced as captain ahead of IPL 2024 by Hardik Pandya.

As far as batting is concerned, Rohit Sharma has scored 5’041 runs for MI in 198 games. The ‘Hitman’ has one century and 34 fifties to his name. His highest score of 109* came against Kolkata Knight Riders. Besides, during this brief span, Sharma has smacked 458 fours and 206 sixes for MI at a strike rate of 129.72.

Also check: CSK’s all-time greatest XI in IPL history

3. Ishan Kishan (WK)

Ishan Kishan. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Youngster Ishan Kishan was bought by Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2018 auction after he made his debut for the now-defunct Gujarat Lions team in 2016. Kishan has repaid the debt of MI putting their faith in him and has contributed well both with the bat and behind the stumps with the gloves. His performance for MI has also paved the way for Kishan to play for India.

Meanwhile, talking about his numbers, Kishan has 2’005 runs in 75 matches for MI with the best score of 99. His strike rate is 135.10 and averages 31.32. He has thumped 186 fours and 90 sixes so far. Kishan will be eager to perform very well in IPL 2024 to pave the way to get included in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad, which is slated to take place after the conclusion of the marquee tournament.

4. Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

The vice-captain of MI side, Suryakumar Yadav has gone on from strength to strength with the Mumbai Indians franchise. He had shown a glimpse of his talent for Kolkata Knight Riders early on, but MI showed faith in him and Rohit Sharma gave him the freedom to play how he wanted. This has led to SKY making his India debut in all formats and has been the No. 1 ranked T20I batter for two years in a row now.

Suryakumar Yadav made his MI debut in IPL 2012 and thus far has scored 2’641 runs in 85 matches for the franchise. His highest score is 103 and apart from this, he has 20 fifties as well. His strike rate is 146.23 and he averages 35.21. He has hit 295 fours and 91 sixes for MI this far. He has also captained the franchise here and there when Rohit Sharma was absent.

Also check: MI Squad 2024 Player List

5. Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu, who retired from IPL in 2023, made his debut in the Indian Premier League for Mumbai Indians in 2010. He did all for the franchise, including fielding, and batting and even kept wickets for the side. Notably, Rauyudu won the IPL with Mumbai Indians in 2013, 2015, and 2017 before moving base to Chennai Super Kings, where he ended his career on a high as well.

Ambati Rayudu played a total of 114 matches for MI and scored 2’416 runs with 14 fifties to his name with the best score of 81*. He averaged 27.14 and had a strike rate of 126.16 for MI, hitting 79 sixes and 205 fours during his MI IPL career.

6. Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya in MI Jersey. (Photo Source: Twitter/@hardikpandya7)

Hardik Pandya, along with his brother Krunal Pandya was scouted by the MI franchise. Pandya made his IPL debut back in 2015 for MI and in all played 92 matches for them. He scored 1’476 runs at a strike rate of 153.91 and averaged 27.33. His highest score was 91 and he hit 97 fours and 98 sixes for MI. He was also impressive with the ball, taking 42 wickets with a best of 3/20 and an economy of 9.06.

He was a mainstay of the MI middle order and formed a deadly finishing combination at the death with Krunal and Kieron Pollard. Hardik has won MI matches from a situation when they had more or less lost the game. It was a huge deal when MI chose not to retain him ahead of IPL 2022 and Pandya went on to win the tournament with Gujarat Titans as captain. Now he returns home to MI in IPL 2024, replacing Rohit Sharma as the skipper of the team.

Also check: MI Team SWOT Analysis 2024 

7. Kieron Pollard

Kieron Pollard (Photo Source: Twitter)

The West Indies batter Kieron Pollard made his IPL debut for MI in 2010 and ended his career with them in 2022. Since then, he has taken up the job of Mumbai Indians batting coach. Pollard was a huge reason for MI’s success as he ensured that any collapse of top order was stopped by him. He finished matches with an alarming rate of success and some of his knocks are legendary in IPL annals.

In all, Pollard played 189 matches for Mumbai Indians in IPL, scoring 3’412 runs at an average of 28.67. But his runs came at a strike rate of 147.32 and he hit 223 sixes and 218 fours for MI in his career. He also captained the franchise in a few matches during his career before his retirement.

8. Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh was also the captain of the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2008. This was after Sachin Tendulkar had to miss the first half of the tournament due to injury. He had a great run with the MI franchise from 2008-2017. He won the IPL title in 2013, 2015, and 2017 with Mumbai Indians, before moving to Chennai Super Kings and then ended his career with Kolkata Knight Riders. 

Harbhajan Singh was the lead spinner of the MI team and picked 127 wickets in 136 matches for MI. His best bowling was 5/18 and his economy was 6.95. He also played a few impact knocks with the bat for MI, with his highest score being 61 and strike rate being 142.20 for his 799 runs for MI in IPL.

Also check: MI Retained and Released Players List for IPL 2024

9. Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Lasith Malinga made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians in 2009 and ended his career with them in 2019. In all, he played 122 matches in IPL and picked 170 wickets, retiring as the highest wicket-taker at that time in IPL. His best bowling was 5/13 and his economy was 7.14. During the later part of his career, Malinga helped Mumbai Indians develop new pacers.

His biggest contribution to MI apart from his bowling was mentoring a young Jasprit Bumrah, who was very green when he first came onto the scene in the Indian Premier League. Malinga, after retirement, took up a bowling coach role with Rajasthan Royals but will return home to MI in IPL 2024 as their bowling coach.  

10. Trent Boult

Trent Boult might have played for MI in a handful of games in the Indian Premier League, but his impact was bigger. He picked 38 wickets in 29 overs bowled for MI in the IPL with best bowling figures of 4/18. During this journey, he bowled with an economy rate of 7.94.

Notably, the willy left-arm New Zealand pacer played a huge role in Mumbai Indians winning the IPL 2020. Moreover, he went on to become the Player of the Match in the final. Besides, this edition of the IPL was played in the UAE and hence it is safe to say that it is always a difficult task for pacers to play in different sub-continent conditions and leapfrog spinners to grab the coveted award.

11. Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah Mumbai Indians. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Perhaps the best contribution of Mumbai Indians was to scout Jasprit Bumrah and spend time and money to groom him. This enabled India to get a brilliant bowler who is serving them now. Bumrah made his IPL debut in 2013 for MI but had to wait till 2015 to make a mark with his amazing action and yorkers. He received great mentorship from Shane Bond and Lasith Malinga in the MI camp.

Bumrah has become a huge asset for MI and has been part of the leadership group also. In all, Bumrah has 145 wickets in 120 matches for MI in the IPL, with a best of 5/10 at an economy of 7.39 and an average of 23.30. He will play a huge role in MI’s rebuilding phase after the IPL 2024 tournament when the mega auction happens for IPL 2025.

Also check: Strongest Playing XI for Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2024