Mumbai: Mumbai Indians, the most talked about team in the Indian Premier League (IPL), gear up for the eighth edition of the cash-rich tournament as one of the favourites to clinch the title for the second time.
The 2013 champions are all set to take to the 22 yards under newly-appointed coach Ricky Ponting, whose aggression and experience would be a big plus to the squad.
Last year, led by hard-hitting Indian opener Rohit Sharma, the team reached the play-off stages where they lost to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the eliminator by 7 wickets.
But after the 2015 IPL auctions the team looks more formidable even before the start.
Among the notable buys were Australia’s World Cup-winning opener Aaron Finch, who was bought for Rs.3.2crore. The Victorian, part of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL last season, has played 22 Twenty20 Internationals for Australia and scored 756 runs.
New Zealand’s Mitchell McClenaghan is another crucial purchase. With his ability to pick up wickets, the left-arm pacer is considered a limited overs specialist, who has turned out in 16 Twenty20 Internationals for his national side claiming 17 wickets. Mumbai Indians have done well to get him for Rs.30 lakh.
India’s spinner Pragyan Ojha bowled with guile during the team’s triumphant run in 2013. In the February 16 auction he was roped in for Rs.50 lakh. During his seven-year IPL stint, the Odisha born has got 89 wickets in 91 matches.
The 2011 and 2013 Champions League T20 winners have retained bulk of the team they fielded last year and that allows for continuity. Leading from the front will be Rohit, who would be gunning to better his lacklustre show last year when he managed just 390 runs from 15 games. (IANS)
