WPL Mumbai Indians WPL 2024
Mumbai Indians won the title. (Image: Twitter)

WPL 2024: Winners of the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League, Mumbai Indians did no wrong in WPL 2023. They managed to not only showcase an impressive and consistent brand of cricket but also display what a unit with class looks like.

Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the Mumbai Indians squad has the perfect mix of youth and experience that augured well for them. The international stars delivered when the team needed and the youngsters were able to capitalise on all crucial moments that ensured MI had no weakness whatsoever.

This season, all the eyes will be on them to see if they can continue in the same vein of form and retain the title.

Here is the Mumbai Indians Squad ahead of the WPL 2024:

Amanjot Kaur, Amelia Kerr*, Chloe Tryon, Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Hayley Matthews*, Humairaa Kaazi, Isabelle Wong*, Jintimani Kalita, Natalie Sciver-Brunt*, Pooja Vastrakar, Priyanka Bala, Saika Ishaque, Yastika Bhatia, Shabnim Ismail*, S Sajana, Amandeep Kaur, Fatima Jaffer, Keerthana Balakrishnan.

Let us now dive deeper into the SWOT Analysis of Mumbai Indians:

Strengths

Strong first XI: Like last season, one of the biggest advantages that Mumbai Indians possess is how their playing eleven quite literally picks itself. Packed with a list of star international players like Hayley Matthews, Issy Wong, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Amelia Kerr- these names would make it to the playing eleven in a heartbeat.

READ MORE: WPL 2024: UP Warriorz (UPW) – SWOT Analysis

With skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, Amanjot Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar, Yastika Bhatia other certainities in the team’s make-up, MI already have a strong playing eleven in place.

Top foreign picks: Pre-auction MI had the likes of Hayley Matthews, Issy Wong, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Chloe Tryon and Amelia Kerr in the mix. In the WPL 2024 auction, they acquired a star in Shabnim Ismail. All the above-listed players are household names in themselves who are single-handed matchwinners for their national team.

Mumbai Indians will look to replicate their form. [Image: Getty]
Mumbai Indians will look to replicate their form. [Image: Getty]
Congregating for the MI will only benefit the team’s prospects as they look to defend their crown. With easy replacements available and a fine mix of domestic players at their disposal, MI can maximise and make the most of it.

Stellar all-rounders: MI is blessed with a plethora of all-rounders like Nat-Sciver Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, and Pooja Vastrakar to name a few who add a lot of value to the set-up and are proven match-winners.

Weaknesses

Reliance on big names to deliver: While Mumbai Indians have a plethora of big names to bank upon, it comes with its limitation- the pressure to deliver every single time. MI does have the pedigree of players who can win their matches single-handedly but if they have an off day, can the other players step up and deliver?

READ MORE: WPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – SWOT Analysis

Harman’s batting concerns in 2023: Harmanpreet Kaur had been woefully out of form through 2023 in international cricket and this has been a huge cause of concern for India. But WPL 2023 saw her score a whopping 281 runs and a strike rate of 135.09, ending 4th on the table. If she can replicate a similar form in this edition of the WPL 2024, it will be instrumental for Mumbai.

Pace bowling department: Last season, Mumbai faced some inexperience in the pace bowling department even though it was headlined by Issy Wong and Pooja Vastrakar. This season they have roped in Shabnim Ismail but with her retirement from international cricket, she could potentially be out of live game practice and it will also be pertinent to see what is the combination that MI opts for.

Opportunities 

Yastika to prove her worth as an opener: Yastika Bhatia will be running excited to prove her worth as an opener and make the most of the opportunity this season. Having had good returns in domestic cricket, she would look to extend her form and make a statement to cement her place in the Indian team for the upcoming assignments in the form of the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup. This season will be a crucial one for her to stake a claim for the coveted opener spot.

Mumbai Indians won the inaugural WPL. WPL 2024. (Image: Getty)
Mumbai Indians won the inaugural WPL. (Image: Getty)

Amanjot and Pooja to shine as an all-rounder: Amanjot Kaur and Pooja Vastrakar have had mixed fortunes in recent times for Team India but Amanjot specifically had a domestic season reminded everyone of their capabilities and with Pooja also fine-tuning her performances can be a major bonus.

ALSO READ: WPL 2024: LIVE Streaming, Fixtures And Squad Details – Here Is All You Need To Know

For the domestic picks to stand up and deliver: This season could be a big one for Jintimani Kalita and Humairaa Kaazi to prove their worth. With good showings in the domestic circuit, they will look to make the most of opportunities in the WPL, run shoulders with the biggies in the franchise and take their game to the next level.

Threats 

Problems of Plenty: Mumbai Indians contend with the issue that they already have certainties of the four foreign players in the playing 11. So will the new acquisitions in the franchise get a go-ahead from game one? Will they warm the benches or come in as replacements for the major players is something that the season will tell us.

Saika’s form: Saika Ishaque had a wonderful WPL 2023 that paved the way for her India debut. However, a few lacklustre outings and inconsistences caused her to be left out of matches but she made a strong comeback in domestic cricket. This WPL again is the perfect platform for her to make a mark and bang the doors of selection for a national call-up as important tournaments await us.

No home advantage: One of the biggest drawbacks for Mumbai Indians this season is that there are no matches scheduled to take place in Mumbai. This deprives them of home advantages and fan support like last season that helped their cause to a large extent. Playing in Bengaluru and Delhi will be an acid test of greatness for this team.

WPL 2024: MI Best Playing 11

Hayley Matthews*, Yastika Bhatia, Nat Sciver-Brunt*, Amelia Kerr*, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur, Jintimani Kalita, Humairaa Kaazi, Issy Wong*, Saika Ishaque

Prediction 

Mumbai Indians look favourites to repeat their heroics from the past season with a strong and formidable squad at their disposal. Even though the conditions will be different for them, they will likely breeze through the league stages ending at the top of the table and qualify for the playoffs without breaking a sweat.

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