3 Players which Mumbai Indians (MI) produced for India

After securing their 4th IPL trophy last year, Mumbai Indians became the most successful team in the competition’s history. Apart from winning 4 IPL trophies, they have also won 2 Champions League trophies. Mumbai Indians are known for their knack of backing certain players as they maintain a strong core of players which helps them to build camaraderie between players from all parts of the world.

Another reason why they have been so successful in the last 7 years, during which they have won a trophy every alternate year, is because they have a very good scouting network. Mumbai Indians’ ability to find quality youngsters is second to none.

They have given opportunities to several Indian players such as Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey and Yuzvendra Chahal way before these players made their debuts for India. Although these players didn’t make their debut for India during their stint at the Wankhede, the potential in these players was seen by Mumbai Indians.

Mumbai Indians have always tried integrating youngsters into their squad. Players like Saurabh Tiwary, Abhishek Nayar, Rishi Dhawan, Mayank Markande, etc have all been given chances for India due to their performances with Mumbai Indians.

Here we take a look at a few of these players who have gone on to make a name for themselves on the international stage:

1. Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has all the skills required for a great all-rounder. His immense self-belief is what separates him from other young Indian cricketers. India have never really found a genuine seam bowling all-rounder since the days of Kapil Dev but when the lean-bodied youngster announced his arrival in the IPL, the huge void left by Kapil Dev was filled.

Although it would be incorrect to compare Hardik to an all-time great, he certainly possesses the talent to reach that level. He has ample time to reach his potential as he is still only 26.

Hardik has a rare quality of delivering under pressure. Although he is known for his hard-hitting exploits in the middle order, he is a very capable bowler as well. In his debut IPL game against Royal Challengers Bangalore, he hit a six off just the second ball he faced. However, his potential was truly known when he took Mumbai to victory with a quick-fire eight ball 21 against Chennai Super Kings when the team needed 30 from two overs.

Since making his MI debut in 2015, Hardik has scored 1068 runs in 66 matches with an average of 28.86 and at a brilliant strike rate of 154.78. He has also taken 42 wickets in the period, which is very good considering he is often used as the 6th bowling option.

Pandya’s 18 wickets in the 2018 campaign was enough for him to be the side’s leading wicket-taker that season. In the 2019 edition, he scored 402 runs which is his best return with the bat. He also took 14 wickets that year, being the perfect all-rounder for Mumbai Indians.