For a team to win a competition five times just goes to reflect their sheer dominance. Looking at Mumbai Indians’ performance since their maiden title in 2013, they are well on course to becoming synonymous with the IPL.

In winning their back-to-back titles in 2019 and last year, Rohit Sharma and his men have ticked almost all the boxes. Leading from the front, captain Rohit has contributed with the bat at the top of the order during crucial junctures, while his cool and calm demeanour even during pressure situations also benefits his team a great deal.

MI’s batting isn’t just about Rohit getting them off to a flier with Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard finishing things off in style. The way Suryakumar Yadav has modified his game, after some stellar showings last season, he too can single-handedly turn a game in MI’s favour.

The confidence and command with which Suryakumar batted in the recent T20Is versus England — also his debut international series — underlines that the success he had in IPL 2020 was by no means a fluke. In fact, his maiden international knock appeared as if it was a continuation of one of his innings for MI. No wonder he will go out to the middle even stronger with confidence sky-high when MI begin their campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore next Friday.

Hardik Pandya (left); Jasprit Bumrah (right) on arrival in Chennai on Wednesday evening. Twitter / @mipaltan

So too can young Ishan Kishan, who proved himself last year by emerging as the team’s top scorer. The Jharkhand captain has quickly gained in terms of maturity.

Among their bowlers, Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah are match-winners any day, while the arrival of Nathan Coulter-Nile and Adam Milne further strengthen their pace attack that can certainly cover up weaknesses in MI’s spin department.

The defending champions, however, would also have to find out Rohit’s opening partner at least for the first match, especially as Quinton de Kock is set to miss the opener because of the white-ball series at home versus Pakistan beginning from Saturday.

Lessons from IPL 2020

• Spin bowling is the area where opponents can look to hurt MI. Leg-spinner Rahul Chahar is definitely a bit more experienced now, having had the feel of international cricket. But consistency-wise, he needs to improve. All-rounder Krunal Pandya also hasn’t been too useful with his left-arm spin. With the inclusion of the experienced campaigner Piyush Chawla in their ranks, MI need to be careful in getting their spin department in order.
• Hardik Pandya’s overs this time around could be crucial. He wasn’t in a position to bowl in the previous edition, but having bowled quite a few overs in the recent white-ball matches versus England, he looks in far better shape and could step in if any of the frontline quicks or spinners are having a bad day.

Last year: Champions

Suryakumar Yadav on arrival in Chennai on Wednesday evening. Twitter / @mipaltan

X-factor

Without an iota of doubt, Kieron Pollard is MI’s X-factor. Since being named captain of the Windies’ white-ball teams, he has also been focusing on timing and placing the ball into the gaps instead of relying only on power hitting. That has certainly added to his repertoire. If needed, he can also bowl an over or two. His fielding too is a huge asset as he can take stunners at the deep, which can be game changing as well.

Pollard in IPL

Batting

> Mts 164 > Runs 3023 > Fifties 15 > HS 83 > Avg 29.93 > SR 149.87

Bowling

> Mts 164 > Wkts 60 > Best bowling 4/44 > Eco 8.87

Pollard in T20s (Overall)

Batting

> Mts 534 > Runs 10629 > Fifties 52 > Hundred 1 > HS 104 > Avg 31.54 > SR 152.64

Bowling

> Mts 534 > Wkts 293 > Best bowling 4/15 > Eco 8.21