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‘Baap of all franchises’- Fans give mixed reactions to Mumbai’s staggering record of finishing top of the points table most times

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‘Baap of all franchises’- Fans give mixed reactions to Mumbai’s staggering record of finishing top of the points table most times

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India’s premier Twenty20 tournament is set to start on March 31, with the world’s best cricketers arriving in the country to strut their stuff on the cricket field. Among the cricketing extravaganza set to entertain us in the coming months, a lot of the entertainment is sure to come from the blue and gold of Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai team. With an excellent mix of youth and experience provided by their squad of exciting domestic cricketers and international stars, the blue and gold-clad side is one of the favourites to lift the trophy come the end of the tournament.

Of course, Mumbai are familiar with success in this particular arena, having won the coveted trophy at least five times. Their first title win came back in 2013, followed closely by victories in the 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020 seasons. As such, they know exactly what it takes to go all the way in the tournament, from building momentum through the group stages to holding their nerve and showing ruthlessness in the ensuing knockout stages. Further motivation, if it were required, will be provided by the memories of the previous edition of the tournament, where Rohit Sharma’s men finished bottom of the table in an extremely disappointing campaign.

This season, the team has been boosted by the arrival of Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, for whom the franchise paid a record Rs. 17.5 crores in the auction in December. Mumbai will be hoping the big-hitting Green shines with the bat, following a positive showing in the recently concluded Test series between India and Australia in India, as well as contributing with the ball as well. Other notable arrivals include Green’s fellow Australian Jhye Richardson and South African Duan Jansen, whose twin brother Marco also turned out for Mumbai in the 2020 season. 

Having missed the previous edition due to injury, someone who will be looking to make up for lost time by making a real impact with the ball is English speedster Jofra Archer, who was snapped up by Mumbai in the lead-up to last year’s tournament. Although Archer will not be able to link up with Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is set to sit out this year’s tournament due to injury, the Englishman will surely spearhead the Mumbai bowling attack in the 2023 edition.

The Mumbai batting department is stacked with players who have proven themselves at this stage time and again. Captain Rohit Sharma is joined at the top of the order by Ishan Kishan, with the world’s best T20I batsman in Suryakumar Yadav to follow. Australian Tim David and the young South African duo of Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs provide the firepower lower down the order while promising Indian youngsters like Tilak Varma and Hrithik Shokeen impressed with their all-round performances last season. 

Mumbai begin their tournament away from home, taking on Bangalore at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 2 before welcoming Chennai to the Wankhede six days later. The initial impression seems to be that they possess all the elements needed to mount a title charge this season, and if they can get the balance of their side right from the start of the tournament, they will definitely be a force to be reckoned with.

It is pertinent to note that Mumbai have finished top of the points table most times in Indian T20 League history.

Here’s a look at how fans reacted to that:

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