IPL: Ranking Mumbai Indians’ five greatest bowlers of all time

The most successful franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Mumbai Indians have bagged five trophies in 15 editions of the tournament. In 2013, they lifted the cup for the first time under captain Rohit Sharma after beating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the iconic Eden Gardens. In 2020, they won their last title after vanquishing Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Dubai International Stadium, having amassed three more in between.

However, their performance graph has slumped recently as they couldn’t qualify for the knockouts in the last couple of seasons. Last year, they delivered their worst performance of all time in the league. Claiming only four victories in 14 matches, they ended up at the bottom of the points table.

This year, Rohit Sharma and his men will look to bring joy to the faces of the supporters by clinching yet another title. Although the bygone year saw Mumbai Indians struggle with their bowling, the team has traditionally been known for its impeccable bowling attack that has won them not only matches but even tournaments. As we move closer to Mumbai's first match of the 2023 IPL, let's look back at five of Mumbai's most deadly bowlers who have wreaked havoc in the blues.

Here are the five greatest MI bowlers of all time:

5. Trent Boult

In November 2019, Delhi Capitals (DC) traded fast bowler Trent Boult to Mumbai Indians. With the Kiwi pacer’s addition to the squad, MI emerged as one of the greatest bowling powerhouses in the 2020 edition of the tournament. Boult played a key role with his bowling in their successful campaign as the star player fetched 25 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of 7.97. He thus ended up in the third position on the list of highest-wicket-takers in the tournament. 

He also formed a bowling pair with Jasprit Bumrah that became too hot to handle for the rivals. The bowling duo took 52 wickets together in 15 games and helped the team grab the title for the record fifth time.

In 2021, MI couldn’t qualify for the knockouts but Boult delivered decent bowling figures for his team, taking 13 wickets in 14 games at an economy of 7.90. After serving MI for a couple of seasons, Boult became a part of the 2008 IPL champions Rajasthan Royals (RR). During his two-year stint for the five-time IPL champions, the New Zealander hunted 38 batters in 29 matches at an economy of 7.94.