IPL History: Mumbai Indians’ team of the decade

Bowlers: Harbhajan Singh, Lasith Malinga, and Jasprit Bumrah

Harbhajan Singh (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

Mumbai Indians have arguably had the strongest bowling line-up in the T20 league. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been a key component in the Mumbai bowling line-up. Harbhajan stood out in MI’s maiden 2013 triumph, with 24 wickets at a strike rate of 17.50, and claimed 18 scalps as Mumbai won again in 2015. He was among the leading wicket-takers in 2010 as well, with 17 wickets at a strike rate of 18.88.

His best of 5/18 came against Chennai Super Kings in the 2011 edition. Long after his India days were over, Harbhajan remained a match-winner for MI. In fact, he has a decent record with the bat as well. His best knock of 64 runs from 24 balls came in a losing cause against Kings XI Punjab in 2015.

Lasith Malinga (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

The name Lasith Malinga is as synonymous with Mumbai Indians, as it is with Sri Lanka. He has been the leader of MI’s attack in the decade and his unplayable yorkers have felled many big names in IPL. Malinga has contributed significantly in most of MI’s title triumphs - 2/22 (2013), 2/25 (2015), 0/21 (2017). Although he was taken for 49 in the 2019 summit clash, it was Malinga who claimed the last wicket of Shardul Thakur as MI won by one run.

The Lankan legend has been among the leading wicket-takers in a number of editions. He won the Purple Cap in 2011, with 28 wickets at a strike rate of 13.5. Further, Malinga claimed 22 wickets in 2012, 20 in 2013, and 24 in 2015.

Jasprit Bumrah (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

Much before he plied his trade with amazing success at the international level, Jasprit Bumrah made his name with some fantastic bowling efforts in the IPL. With his inimitable action and excellent accuracy, Bumrah has claimed 85 wickets in 80 games at a strike rate of 21.1 in seven seasons 2013 onwards. He and Malinga have made a formidable pairing for MI over the last five years. His big-match ability saw him winning the man-of-the-match in the 2019 final, with spectacular returns of 2 for 14 in his four overs.

Bumrah picked up 20 wickets at a strike rate of 17.80 in 2017, 17 in 2018, and 19 in 2019, as batsmen continue to struggle against him.