That night 15 years ago, three decades following Kerry Packer’s 2nd cricket revolution was formally inaugurated. Ravi Shastri’s voice in Chinnaswamy was to introduce them to the world. Local boy Jamie’s name was called first and the stadium was filled with their own RCB calls. Then one by one, former captain Dada, then Indian captain Dhoni, VVS, legendary spinner Vaughan, superstars Sehwag, Yuvraj and their team names entered the stage and the crowd kept clapping their hands and cheering for each name.
Finally it was the last man’s turn, but Chinnaswamy was shaken before Ravi’s tongue came out and the stadium erupted. The biggest brand India has ever seen didn’t need anyone’s descriptions, the crowd kept on chanting so madly that they mightn’t even hear what Ravi was saying. Those calls filled the nearby Cubbon park and MG Road, even on the TV screens there was no sound to Ravi’s words. That day, the sensational Sachin held the hands of the entire India and the frenzy to establish the biggest franchise T20 has ever seen.
If asked why did you become a Mumbai fan, the answer of an average fan would be – other than Sachin Tendulkar’s team. That was the answer Mumbai Indians needed despite owning the most valuable franchise in the IPL for $111.9m. The IPL presented icon players in front of the Vashi of Mumbai who did not agree to put the market value of Sachin in front of other teams. Even as it lost its upper hand in the auction, Mumbai was not content to hang on to the Sachin brand.
Mumbai started with the Sachin-Jayasurya combo that was the pinnacle of 90s kids’ fantasy. A long star squad starting from the legendary Pollock, Malinka and Harbhajan to Nehra, Uthappa and Bosmon. Amarat Pratham T20 WC team manager Lalchand Rajput and leading analyst Harsha Bhogle. Hrithik Roshan as the brand ambassador, huge celebrity support like Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Saifali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Deepika Padukone. and the Ambani family in Thalappa. God’s own Dream Alignment where all the stars align.
But with 4 consecutive defeats, God’s Warriors made it to the IPL. Injuries to Sachin and Malinka and Harbhajan’s suspension weakened the team, but they got back on track with consecutive wins led by Pollock in the last lap, but missed the semis by a single point. Jayasuriya’s innings to remember was the only consolation. Cape Cobras firecracker JP Duminy started the season 2nd but slipped to 7th position.
But with the third edition of the league, the rise of Mumbai Indians started. Mumbai’s fortunes have changed ever since they brought in Trinidad’s 22-year-old Kieron Pollard, who thrashed the first Champions League T20. It was the Biggest Overseas Name in the history of the league when Mumbai acquired one of the hottest bidding wars in the Tie Breaker for an undisclosed amount. And Bravo, Zaheer and young stars Rayudu and Tiwari. It was also the year when Sachin, at the age of 37, released Tendulkar in ’98, showcasing his universal form to a new generation. Mumbai stormed into their first final as top seed. But a big mistake made in the batting order kept the team from the title. For Sachin, it felt like a replay of the 2003 WC final.
2011 was the arrival of the awaited savior. Deccan’s big mistake broke Mumbai’s purse. The team fielded a 24-year-old named Hitman as Sachin’s successor at Wankhede. And united Bhaji and Saimo. Luck struck that year as Bhaji led Polly and Malinka to Mumbai’s first title, the 2011 Champions League T20. Hot propsect Richard Levy was brought in the following season but might not go beyond the playoffs.
2013 brought the best captain the game has ever seen in Ricky Ponting to win the maiden IPL. But that day IPL saw the rise of one of the greatest captains in the league’s history. Pon-dulkar duo as dreamy as Karnan-Arjuna. And from Malinga, Polly, Bhaji, Rohit, Rayudu to Johnson, Smith, DK, Maxey, Ojha and Kulkarni. John Wright, Anil Kumble and Jonty Rhodes who changed the head of Indian cricket in the back row. When the punter made a mistake in the twilight of his career, he handed over the baton to Rohit and retreated to the dugout. The result brought the IPL-CLT20 double to Wankhede. The moment Mumbai’s lifeline was found and immortalized, Sachin retired from T20s and Mumbai’s number 10.
Under the leadership of Rohit, Mumbai stepped into a new era. Auction hottie Corey Anderson and Lendell Simmons join the team. After losing 5 matches in a row, they beat Rajasthan in 14.4 overs in the last match in the best chase in the history of the league. IPL started fearing Mumbai, even if they didn’t win the title, they had to start with a loss. The story repeated itself in 2015, with 4 consecutive defeats, but God’s warriors, who started losing, lifted the cup at Eden in the end.
Six years later, Mumbai proved that it is not a team that cheats on superstars, but rather they mold superstars and go away with the trophy. Boomra, Hardik and Chetan Krunal, who were brought to the team for just 10 lakhs, were not tied down by a thread, the findings of the best scouting network in the league were six. Mumbai was more professional than other franchises. The team continued with these three young Turks along with McClenaghan, Parthiv Patel and Butler. Jayawardene at the head. After failing in 2016, Wankhede saw their third title in the 10th edition. Rohit came out to defend just 129 runs and created history by one run.
In the next mega auction, Bhaji left the team and Suriya, Kishan and Chahar came in, along with Evin Lewis and later De Kock and Yuvraj. Again, mistakes in 18, history corrects in 19. In the final, Chennai and Dhoni went down once more by a single run off Malinka’s poozhikatakan, and Mumbai were once once more underlining their Udayon name for life. At the end of the season, Malinka’s calls at Wamkhada have gone down in history. With the arrival of Boult in 2020, the best T20 squad has been formed. A mighty lineup with 11 match winners. Gone are the days of singing that if Mumbai is all out for a small score, that is the maximum score on that pitch. Unilaterally, Mumbai 5th also made history and was re-written as The Biggest Franchise in T20 History.
But the hat-trick target fell short in the 21st, ending that legendary run. Mega auction once more, the Pandya brothers stepped up and old age took its toll on the bat of the never-believing Pollard. The worst season in history ended with the team finishing in last place. Paltan’s guard named Polly also left.
15 years have passed. Mumbai Indians went global, with MI franchises popping up in the Emirates, the Cape and New York. And finally in the WPL, in which rivals Iland won the title.
The memories are so loose. Warriors of God who founded a single image of Sachin Tendulkar a decade and a half ago, years without a crown, successive crowns, breath-taking struggles, falls, lows, highs….
As of today, those god-fearing fighters are looking for a 6th title and are heading into the 16th season looking for a resurgence.
The Biggest
The Most Valuable
The Most Followed
The Most Successful
Franchise in T20 History, is to set their Mighty Foot for the 16th time.
The Unparalleled Mumbai Indians
Written by: Savi M.
Credit: Malayali Cricket Zone
