Scott Styris Explains Why Mumbai Indians Have Been The Most Successful IPL Franchise
Published - 30 Apr 2021, 08:30 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:45 AM
Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris believes that the Mumbai Indians’ ability to scout obscure talents and nurturing them into world-class performers is one of the biggest reasons behind them being the most successful IPL franchise.
Mumbai Indians have won the Indian Premier League title on as many as five occasions and one of the key reasons behind their succeeds is that unlike other franchises, who believe in breaking the bank for marquee overseas cricketers, Mumbai Indians have always believed in scouting and nurturing little known faces.
The likes of Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah are the biggest examples of the aforementioned fact.
None of the Pandya brothers or Jasprit Bumrah were household names when they were picked by the Mumbai Indians in the early part of the last decade.
The five-time champions picked them in the auctions when no one was willing to put their money on them and the result is for everyone to see.
“I am an American sports fan, and scouting is a huge part of what they do over there. Your ability to find players under the radar. Look at what has happened to Mumbai, the way they’ve been able to find and develop the Pandya brothers. The way they’ve been able to get Jasprit Bumrah. I am a full believer, 100% behind the scouting,” Scott Styris said.
Ahead of the 14th season of the Indian Premier League, Mumbai Indians roped in former Indian stumper Parthiv Patel as one of the scouts.
Mumbai Indians picked little-known South African left-arm pacer Marco Jansen in the recent IPL auction. Jansen featured in the first few games and made an impression against the likes of AB de Villiers at the death.
”We’ve got Parthiv Patel here in the bubble (as a commentator), who is — if not here, he’s scouting for the Mumbai Indians. He is right up there, and he is looking for players all around the world. They’ve got scouts looking at all the leagues below, even the first-class levels, and that’s why Mumbai seem to find these players. I think if you want sustained excellence, then you must have a very strong scouting unit.” Styris added.
