The franchise has been home to some of the biggest names of the generation.
The Mumbai Indians (MI) are one of the most successful franchises in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). They have won the title the joint-most number of times (five), alongside Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Given MI’s illustrious past, the franchise has been home to some of the biggest names of the generation who have left behind a legacy while playing in the Blue and Gold jersey.
Mumbai also boasted of some of the top overseas cricketers and was never shy about spending on quality players.
In this article, we specifically take a look at the top 5 foreign stars who have represented the IPL heavyweights over the years.
ALSO READ: 5 Best Overseas Players That Ever Played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL
Former Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya etched his name in the history books by becoming the first-ever Mumbai Indians’ centurion, hitting 109* against Chennai Super Kings at Wankhede Stadium in 2008. He represented the franchise for three seasons before retiring from the IPL.
As one of the marquee signings for the inaugural season, Jayasuriya impressed with a remarkable strike rate of 165.77, amassing 494 runs in IPL 2008. However, his performance saw a significant decline in 2009 when the tournament was held in South Africa. His strike rate dropped to 115, and he managed to score just two half-centuries that season. In 2010, he featured in only four matches, scoring a total of 33 runs before stepping away from IPL cricket.
In addition to his batting prowess, Jayasuriya contributed as a reliable left-arm spinner, with the Mumbai Indians utilizing his bowling skills effectively. Over his three-year IPL stint, he claimed 13 wickets.
In 2014, Mumbai Indians were in search of a reliable opener to provide explosive starts during powerplay overs. Lendl Simmons stepped in as a replacement player and made an immediate impact, amassing 394 runs in just 8 matches to guide his team to the playoffs.
The West Indies opener recorded his maiden IPL century that season in a match against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). In the following year, Simmons’ consistent performances at the top of the order played a pivotal role in Mumbai Indians securing their second IPL title in 2015.
Simmons emerged as a strong contender for the Orange Cap, finishing as the joint second-highest run-scorer of the season with 540 runs. However, an injury in 2016 led to his replacement by Martin Guptill. In the 2017 edition, Simmons managed to score 137 runs in 7 matches before being released by Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2018 IPL season.
Caribbean stalwart Kieron Pollard has been a cornerstone in Mumbai Indians’ success for a long time, playing a vital role in their unprecedented five IPL championships. His commanding presence on the field is mirrored by his impactful performances with both bat and ball.
Known for his ability to turn matches around single-handedly, Pollard has been an indispensable asset to the Mumbai Indians. His explosive hitting, composure in high-pressure situations, and astute cricketing acumen make him a complete matchwinner.
Throughout his illustrious IPL career, Pollard amassed 3,412 runs in 189 matches, maintaining an average of 28.67 and a striking strike rate of 147.3, which included 16 half-centuries. Additionally, he contributed with the ball, claiming 79 wickets at an economy rate of 8.79.
Sri Lanka’s iconic fast bowler Lasith Malinga, played a pivotal role in the Mumbai Indians’ success, helping them secure four championship titles with his devastating yorkers and exceptional accuracy.
Known for his distinctive slinging bowling action, which delivered the ball from an almost imperceptible height, he consistently outfoxed even the finest batters in the game and made a reputation for his inch-perfect yourkers.
Malinga was instrumental in Mumbai Indians’ title triumphs in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019, amassing 170 wickets in just 122 matches. He maintained an impressive bowling average of 19.8 and a commendable economy rate of 7.14.
Mitchell McClenaghan is often regarded as one of the most underappreciated players in the Mumbai Indians squad and the IPL overall, despite being the fifth-highest wicket-taker for the franchise with 71 scalps.
Known for his ability to generate extra pace and bounce, McClenaghan consistently delivered early breakthroughs for Mumbai. He played a pivotal role in the team’s success during the 2015-2019 period.
With a total of 71 wickets, he boasts an impressive bowling average of 23.59 and a respectable economy rate of 8.49.
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