Mumbai Indians, the League Winners of 3rd edition of IPL will take the field under huge expectations and they will be one of the fan favorites to win 2010 Airtel Champions League T20.
In spite of strength on paper, Mumbai Indians failed to deliver the goods they were expected to in the first two seasons of IPL, but in 3rd Edition of IPL infused with some fresh blood into their ranks there was no looking back for Indians. Channelized by highly energized Captain Sachin Tendulkar, the Mumbai Indians finished as runners-up in the Indian Premier League 2010 and qualified for Champions League as the most consistent Team of the season. They registered best league stage record with 10 wins out of 14 league matches.
Strengthened with the mix of Youth and experienced chaps, Indians are very much balanced and confident side. While Tendulkar, Harbhajan and Zaheer bring in all their years of experience of playing at the international level, the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Saurabh Tiwary, Ambati Rayudu and Rajagopal Sathish bring in the much-needed zeal and hunger for achievement on the big stage. Plus the overseas gems with Mumbai Indians; consistent Duminy, deadly Malinga, dreadful Pollard and magical Bravo will be eager to change the fortunes of Mumbai Indians after the final loss in IPL.
Strength: Sachin Tendulkar’s unbelievable form with bat in last 2 years along with the hunger to do well in the shortest format will be the real booster for Mumbai Indians. Golden Player and Orange Cap winner of IPL-3, Tendulkar will give every bit of his to bring the cup home and his anchor role is what whole team will be looking forth once again. Shikhar Dhawan is expected to start as an opener and give solid starts with the Master.
Whereas, Saurabh Tiwary and Ambati Rayudu will hold key positions of middle order after showing good colors in IPL 2010. Besides them JP Duminy who knows the conditions of South Africa better than any other batsman of their squad, may get a place ahead of other overseas players. But the main strength of Mumbai Indians is the quality of all-rounders they have down the order, comprising of Dwayne Bravo and Ryan McLaren. Although, the most crucial services will be provided by Kieron Pollard, whose sudden blitzkrieg can blow away any opposition in just few minutes and not only batting, but with the firepower in his bowling he will play a major role as an all-rounder.
While their bowling attack consists of lethal slinger Lasith Malinga whose toe-crushing yorkers will be simply too hot for most batsmen to handle and he will be a major cog in the Mumbai Indians’ plans, while Harbhajan and Zaheer will be hoping to draw on their experience of playing in South Africa to the advantage of their team.
Weakness: Tendulkar’s early departure has been the main concern for Mumbai Indians in all three seasons. Middle Order will have to take up the responsibility of leading the team to the winning total. Likes of Saurabh Tiwary, Ambati Rayudu and JP Duminy will have to be more patient and responsible to avoid the collapses. And especially in the South African conditions it will be tough for these youngsters to encounter the top bowling attacks.
Lacking a regular wicket-keeping batsman, Ambati Rayudu will be given the added responsibility once again; though he managed it in IPL somehow. With no quality 3rd seamer, depth bowling will be another concern in mind of Sachin Tendulkar, keeping in view the IPL final against Chennai Super Kings.
Group: Mumbai Indians are placed in a slightly easier group. In the Group B, Royal Challengers Bangalore is the only team which can give tough challenge to the Indians. Lions are relatively newer and a younger side but have an home advantage, while South Australia are weakened by absence of hard hitting all-rounders in form of Pollard, Afridi and the 5th team Guyana, is the weakest of all the teams.
Mumbai Indians will play the opening match of the tournament against Lions at Johannesburg, while they will play their last three matches at Durban where support from Indian crowd will be huge.
Squad: Sachin Tendulkar [C], Shikhar Dhawan, Saurabh Tiwary, JP Duminy, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Ambati Rayudu [WK], Aditya Tare [WK], Rajagopal Satish, Ryan McLaren, Lasith Malinga, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Dhawal Kulkarni and Ali Murtaza
Source : cricages.com
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