Sachin Tendulkar
He didn't play the first seven matches last year as he was recuperating. The team suffered, losing four of those seven games. But when the Mumbai Indians captain did finally take the field, their fortunes started changing. The lucrative line-up won a few games but by the then the damage had been inflicted. Tendulkar amassed 188 runs from the seven matches he played. This time he has a crucial role to play if Mumbai Indians are to go the distance. Knowing the Master Blaster's caliber, he won't disappoint.
Sanath Jayasuriya
Arguably the biggest success story for Mumbai Indians in the inaugural season. Sanath Jayasuriya finished the tournament with 514 runs from 14 matches (@ 42.83), an aggregate that included a century and two half-centuries. He also chipped in with four wickets. How Mumbai Indians will perform in the second season depends a lot on how this Sri Lankan opener performs. That is his importance in the team.
Harbhajan Singh
Three matches, five wickets. That's Harbhajan Singh's stats for you in the inaugural season before a slap on Sreesanth's face resulted in him getting banned for the rest of the tournament. Add to that a woeful debut as captain, in Sachin Tendulkar's absence. Mumbai Indians will be praying that the temperamental spinner performs on the field rather than off it in the second season.
Zaheer Khan
He has swapped teams. Having taken 13 wickets for Royal Challengers in the inaugural edition, Zaheer felt it is the Mumbai Indians whom he can serve better. The result -- an exchange that witnessed Robin Uthappa going to Bangalore and Zaherr joining Mumbai Indians. The left-armer is in good form, and in the absence of Shaun Pollock, takes over the mantle of the most experienced bowler in the Mumbai squad.
Jean-Paul Duminy
The Ambanis did not mind shelling out $950, 000 from their purse to acquire this South Africa during the auction in February. Duminy has done enough to prove himself as a threat in any form of the game. Now that the expectations from him have increased considerably -- thanks to the above price and the fact the second edition is being held in his country -- it remains to be seen how he performs.
Dwayne Bravo
He was available for eight matches in the inaugural edition before joining the West Indies for their series against Australia. However, such was his impact that the Mumbai Indians bosses kept him back for one more match -- even providing a chartered flight. And he repaid by winning the man-of-the-match award in that particular match. For the record, Bravo scored 178 runs and took 11 wickets. That explains why he assumes so much significance in the Mumbai Indians' scheme of things.
|
Advertisement