The Mumbai Indians (MI) are unarguably the most successful franchise in IPL history. No team has been able to replicate MI’s success. They have won five trophies, out of which two have been in succession (2018 and 2019). Moreover, unlike other teams, they don’t buy stars but groom, nurture and make them themselves. We have seen several unknown names transform themselves into absolute match winners for MI and the Indian team.
Thus, one of the toughest asks for any individual playing for a different franchise is to perform well against the Mumbai based franchise. Thus, it gets harder for a bowler to excel against one of the strongest franchises there is.
So which are those bowlers who have performed well against Mumbai Indians?
Which are those bowlers who have a superb record against them?
This article will look at the top 5 bowlers who have picked the most wickets against MI.
#5 Amit Mishra (25 Wickets)
Amit Mishra is well and truly an IPL legend. He is probably the best leg spinner in the tournament. Not only is he the greatest spinner the league has ever seen, but he is also second in the list of the most number of wickets by a bowler in IPL history. This has propelled him to have a superb record against a world-class franchise like MI as well.
The leggie has taken 25 wickets against Mumbai in 22 matches, and he took a four-for in his last match against MI as well. With age not on his side, it seems hard for Mishra to get a consistent run for the Capitals, but one shouldn’t be surprised if he does manage to play against MI again and pick a few more wickets.
#4 Sunil Narine (23 Wickets)
Sunil Narine has been one of the most successful players in the shortest format of the game for a reason. Not many spinners are as impactful as him. Even when he doesn’t pick wickets, he controls the run flow. However, wickets are the reason why the Trinidadian finds himself on this list. He has picked 23 wickets in the 18 games against MI.
This puts him fourth on the list of the most number of wickets by a bowler against MI. Despite his team (KKR) not having a good record against Rohit’s men, he has done his job more often than not. He won the player of the match award in KKR’s recently concluded game against MI.
#3 Mohit Sharma (23 Wickets)
Now, this might shock everyone. Not many would have expected someone like Mohit Sharma to feature in this list. However, the pacer has always saved his best for MI. He has had many good spells against the most successful franchise of the Indian T20 league. Although he has played for three franchises, his best stint was with CSK when he was sensational for them.
He managed to win the Purple Cap in 2014 as well. It was in that year when he was superb against Rohit Sharma’s men. However, if one has to speak about overall numbers, Mohit finds himself third on the list of the most number of wickets picked against MI. He has picked 23 wickets in 16 innings against the franchise. He would love to improve that record soon, though.
#2 Piyush Chawla (25 Wickets)
Piyush Chawla has to be one of the most underappreciated Indian spinners. The leggie has a superb IPL record and delivers whenever his franchises need him the most. He had an influential role in KKR’s successful campaign in 2014. Among all his accomplishments in the Indian T20 league, his record against the defending champions MI is one he’d love to boast. He is also among the top 5 wicket takers against CSK.
The spinner is second on the list of the most wickets taken against MI in IPL history. He has picked as many as 25 in the 21 innings against MI. He now represents the same franchise! He was purchased by MI in the IPL 2021 auctions and is with them this season. The other franchises Chawla has played for are Kings XI Punjab (Now Punjab Kings), Kolkata Knight Riders and the Chennai Super Kings.
#1 Dwayne Bravo (31 Wickets)
Since everyone already knows that Bravo is a champion, seeing him top this list shouldn’t be a surprise. The charismatic all-rounder has been an absolute asset for the Super Kings ever since he started playing for them. He has picked the most number of wickets by a CSK bowler in IPL history.
He also happens to be the most successful bowler against MI in terms of wickets taken. No bowler in the history of the league has picked more wickets than Bravo against MI. He has picked as many as 31 wickets in 20 innings against his former team. Bravo has been playing for the Super Kings since 2011 and was superb against their arch-rivals MI in their last encounter.
