Gautam Gambhir Delineates The Reasons Behind Mumbai Indians' Success

Former Indian opening batsman Gautam Gambhir is one of the most successful captains in the Indian Premier League. Having guided the Kolkata Knight Riders to two titles in 2012 and 2014, he put the franchise on the map, which struggled in its initial years. But Gambhir has been impressed with the Mumbai Indians, four-time champions. On the show Cricket Connected in Star Sports, he revealed the reason behind their unprecedented success.

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Like KKR, Mumbai also struggled initially to find their feet in the competitive tournament and were inconsistent. Despite having the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya, Zaheer Khan, Dwayne Bravo, Lasith Malinga, and Shaun Pollock, they hadn’t lifted a single trophy since 2008. But the franchise turned the tables against their opposition in 2013 when Rohit Sharma became the captain. From there on, they have been unstoppable, winning the title in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019.

When recalling of the 2013 season, the management decided to install Rohit as the captain midway through the season, replacing Ricky Ponting. Gautam Gambhir considers it as a bold and a strong decision and believes practicality is needed in sports. In sporting situations, emotions should be sidelined.

“If you see, dropping Ricky Ponting as a captain, giving it to Rohit Sharma. They don’t take emotional decisions. They take practical decisions and in sports, when you’re making a strong decision, there shouldn’t be any place for emotions.” Gautam Gambhir said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Their scouts have been absolutely phenomenal: Gautam Gambhir

Echoing their captain’s words, the retired batsman also remarked that the franchise’s scouts had done a splendid job over the years. The decision to recruit and pick players like Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Krunal Pandya proved as masterstrokes. Gambhir believes that they have the strongest squad in IPL’s history. Rohit Sharma himself said firmly that Mumbai Indians is the most professional team he has worked with and disclosed their procedure of picking players.

“Plus, I think their scouts have been absolutely phenomenal. Picking Jasprit Bumrah from nowhere, picking Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya from nowhere. We don’t give enough credit to the scouts. Look at what they’ve achieved. Look at their squad… I think theirs is the strongest squad that’s ever been in any IPL so far.” the cricketer-turned politican concluded.

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