Bumrah is a prime example of MI's talent scouting and development
One of the Indian Premier League's (IPL) most successful teams, the Mumbai Indians (MI), has been crucial in developing and giving gifted cricketers a chance to showcase their skills before representing their country. Over the years, MI has served as a breeding ground for budding stars, honing their skills and exposing them to high-pressure situations in T20 cricket. Through consistent performances in the IPL, several players from MI have caught the attention of national selectors and earned their spots in the Indian cricket team.
By creating a pipeline of gifted players who have made significant contributions at the international level, the franchise's concentration on talent development and its IPL success has dramatically impacted the growth of Indian cricket. Here's a list of some notable players who have represented the MI in the IPL and have gone on to play for the Indian cricket team.
Bumrah is a prime example of MI's talent scouting and development. He made his IPL debut with Mumbai Indians in 2013 and has since become one of the world's premier fast bowlers across all formats for India by debuting on January 23, 2016, vs Australia. Bumrah has more than 162 wickets in his IPL career. He has played more than 60 matches and taken 72 wickets for India.
Another product of MI's talent development program, Pandya made a name for himself with his explosive batting and handy bowling skills. He has become an integral part of India's limited-overs squads since 2016. He has more than 2500 runs and 61 wickets in his IPL tenure. With the upcoming T20 World Cup, he is also the vice-captain.
Hardik's elder brother, Krunal Pandya, also made his mark with MI before earning a call-up to the Indian team. Since debuting against the West Indies in 2018, his dual skills as a left-handed batsman and a left-arm spinner have significantly strengthened the national squad. In T20i matches, he has more than 15 wickets and 124 runs.
The dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman burst onto the scene with MI and showcased his talent with consistent performances in the IPL. As a result of his outstanding performances, he was called up to the Indian squad in 2021. In the IPL, he has more than 2500 runs and a strike rate of 135.70. He has played 32 T20i matches and scored over 700 runs for India.
Suryakumar Yadav, who had numerous outstanding seasons with the MI, was ultimately selected for the Indian squad for the first time in 2021. He was a great asset to MI and the national team because of his ability to score goals swiftly and make creative shots. For IPL, he has more than 3400 runs, with 103* being his highest score. He is only 19 runs away from completing his 3500 runs. SKY has played 60 T20i matches and scored more than 2000 runs for India.
Rahul Chahar, a leg-spinning prodigy, rose through the ranks with MI and showcased his potential in the IPL. He later debuted in 2019 for the Indian team, adding depth to the spin-bowling department. He played six international T20s and took seven wickets. In the IPL, he has played more than 70 matches and taken 70 wickets.
In 16 years of partnership, cricket, MI, and the Indian cricket team have flourished. Tilak Varma is the latest example of this bond, representing a commitment to nurturing top-notch talent. His debut on August 03, 2023, against West Indies is significant. In T20i, he has played in 16 matches with 335 runs; for IPL, he has more than 1000 runs in just 36 games.
