IPL 2019: Three common factors for Mumbai Indians between 2019 and their title-winning seasons

#3 Two overseas fast bowlers leading the bowling attack

Malinga and Behrendorff have chipped in with useful contributions (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com)

2013 - Lasith Malinga and Mitchell Johnson

2015 - Lasith Malinga and Mitchell McClenaghan

2017 - Lasith Malinga and Mitchell McClenaghan

2019 - Lasith Malinga and Jason Behrendorff

One of the key factors for every IPL side has been the selection of four overseas players in the line-up. IPL winning sides have always had an overseas fast bowler in the playing XI. Sohail Tanvir in 2008, Ryan Harris in 2009, Doug Bollinger in 2010, Morne Morkel in 2014, and Mustafizur Rahman in 2016 are such examples.

Mumbai was lucky enough to have the tournament's leading wicket-taker in Lasith Malinga right from the league's inception. Although he was picking up wickets, he lacked support from the other end. Hence Mitchell Johnson was brought into the side to control the powerplay.

His exploits helped MI to win the title in 2013. They then hired a new left-arm bowler in McClenaghan. He bowled brilliantly and picked up wickets regularly in the season winning campaigns in 2015 and 2017.

In 2019 Malinga has a new partner in Jason Behrendorff who is one of the best young swing bowlers in the cricketing arena. If he compliments the Sri Lankan, then MI does have a great shot at the trophy.

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