IPL 2019: Five reasons behind Mumbai Indians qualifying for the finals

The IPL playoffs of the 12th edition are underway and we have our first finalist, the Mumbai Indians. This team is the joint most successful IPL franchise and look all set to continue their legacy of winning the cup every alternate year.

Finishing on the top of the table, Mumbai Indians who are known as slow starters, peaked early this season. Their team is not a playing XI, but a winning XI. Unlike many other teams, this team is filled with match-winners. One comfortably covers-up for the other on his off-day.

There are many factors that have resulted in Mumbai Indians being in such a good position this season, and here are five such reasons that helped the cause of the three-time champions.

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#5 Clever trades in the pre-season window

Jayant Yadav and de Kock were brought in from different teams (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

Mumbai Indians executed two trades when the trade windows were open before the season started. One became their highest run-getter of the season, Quinton de Kock. The South African wicket-keeper batsman has over 500 runs this season. He was brought into this side from the Royal Challengers Bangalore and this was without giving away any player to the RCB.

Another trade was done with the Delhi Capitals when Jayant Yadav was bought into the side. Here too, Mumbai did not have to give in any of their players, neither did they have to overspend at the auction.

This smart trading was without losing any player, Mumbai brought in two players with international experience, can be considered a big bargain. Both of them have done enough to justify their presence in the side.

De Kock has been the trade of the season for Mumbai Indians. He has complimented Rohit Sharma very well, playing aggressive cricket while Rohit took time to settle in before going hard. Yadav too, in the limited opportunities given to him, has done a fair bit of what has been expected out of him.

These trades have benefitted MI for sure.

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#4 The team environment

Mumbai Indians has always been a happy place for the players (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

The Mumbai camp has always been a healthy place to be in for the players. It has been quite evident from the way the players speak about the team, how the players interact on the field and all the social media handles of the team as well as the players.

It is one healthy family that meets for two months every year and goes home happy and grateful about being a part of that family. The environment that is created by the support staff and the owners have always helped the players perform well up to their capability, and this year was no different.

When the Mumbai team had got a six-day break between two of their league matches, all their players were given four days off, to do anything to relax. This relaxation came really good for Mumbai as they beat Chennai in the next game.

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#3 Rohit Sharma's captaincy skills

Rohit Sharma has been phenomenal as a skipper for the Mumbai Indians

Rohit Sharma's captaincy has been applauded by many in recent years. Right since he took over the captaincy of the Mumbai Indians, the fortunes have turned for the franchise. All three titles so far have come under his captaincy. And now, coming into this season, Rohit had the experience of leading the Indian side as well.

This year has not been exactly as Rohit the batsman would have liked, but captain Rohit is surely a happy man right now. The way he has been captaining the side and managing his players is commendable. The way he rotates his bowler is what has brought in a lot of appreciation.

For instance, in the Qualifier 1 against the Chennai Super Kings on May 7, none of the Mumbai bowlers were given two overs on the trot, except for the 18th and 20th over for Jasprit Bumrah. This rotation of bowlers worked beautifully for the team, and Rohit should be credited for these changes.

His tactical and cool mind on the field has led many to believe that he is better captain than Virat Kohli at least in the 20-over format.

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#2 Pandya Power

Hardik Pandya has been the No. 1 player for the side this year (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

Hardik Pandya has had the season of his life this year. He is winning matches for the team as if he has been assigned just for that. Be with the bat or with the ball, Pandya is right up there and this is not good news for the rest of the nine teams who are going to play India in the World Cup.

With 14 wickets and 386 runs in this season, he has proved what he can do and has been doing it consistently. The end flourishes that he has provided to the team while batting has almost confirmed his role as a finisher.

His strike-rate this season is among the best. Also, Pandya has an average of 48.25. Being a floater in the team, Pandya has ensured that he scores at every position in the batting order. His batting has made a real difference to the team, who are lacking the crucial form of Rohit, as stated before.

Pandya has also overshadowed a mediocre season of his elder brother Krunal who has been struggling with the bat.

#1 A well-rounded bowling unit

The bowling of MI has won them many matches this season (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

The biggest strength of this season for the Mumbai Indians has been their bowling. Defending low totals, bowling the opposition out for a low score, getting crucial wickets at crucial times, MI has done it all.

Mumbai has consistently been taking the field with 6 or more bowlers, giving them that crucial advantage in case one of their bowlers has an off-day.

With Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga, and now even Hardik Pandya, the fast bowling has looked stronger than ever in this season. And for the team that has not had any known name in the spin department, Rahul Chahar, Krunal Pandya, and Jayant Yadav have done the job neatly.

Mumbai have successfully read the pitches in almost all their league matches pretty well, deciding the best possible bowling unit that could exploit those conditions and have emerged victorious on most occasions. This bowling line-up looks formidable at the moment.

It is quite safe to say that their overseas bowlers, like Jason Behrendorff, Alzarri Joseph and Adam Milne are not missed one bit, due to the performance of the available pack of bowlers. Overall, these factors have made a huge difference for Mumbai Indians, and they have played a brand of cricket that deserved to be in the finals of IPL season 12.