Mitchell Johnson has tasted success with us before we became champions for the third time this year. At a stage in his career when he was looking to make a comeback to the Australian team, Johnson proved to be a key bowler for MI in the 2013 season. When we won our first title that year, Johnson took the new ball consistently for the team. His swing and pace caused trouble to top-class batsmen throughout the tournament. In the final too, he came to the fore and bowled a very good spell against the on-song Chennai Super Kings batsmen.

After his retirement from international cricket, Mitchell Johnson vested all his focus on T20 league cricket. During Perth Scorcher’s successful run in the Big Bash League, Mitch proved that he was far from over as a bowler. He picked up crucial wickets at the business end of the tournament and went on to lift the title with the Scorchers. We spotted our former star’s form and usurped him at the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Johnson didn’t receive a lot of opportunities during the league stage, but whenever he played a game, he bowled economically. However, the Playoffs turned things around for Mitch and we saw glimpses of his old self in his bowling.

We went into the second Qualifier after facing defeat in the first to Rising Pune Supergiant. McClenaghan was injured and we roped in the other Mitch. Johnson responded well, claiming 2/28 in his four overs. In the final, Johnson’s first contribution came with his bat, as he provided Krunal Pandya with vital company, scoring an unbeaten 13. Johnson went wicket-less in his first three overs in what turned into a very tense chase for Rising Pune Supergiant. Bumrah and Malinga, who have been our primary go-to men for the death overs had bowled out by the 19th over. Rohit entrusted Mitchell Johnson with the final over of the innings with 11 runs to defend. What happened next has already made its entry into epics and history books.

Our former player and coach, Ricky Ponting was a bit surprised when Johnson was the only bowler left with an over to go, in a precarious situation. It was a do-or-die over with a batsman like Steven Smith still in. “When I saw Johnson being picked ahead of McClenaghan in the last two games, I wondered what was going on. Johnson had got limited opportunities in the season!”

Ponting talked about how MI has backed one left-arm bowler in the last few years consistently. When Mitchell Johnson was not with the team after 2013, we roped in Mitchell McClenaghan. “One of the great theories that we’ve had in Mumbai is having those left-arm bowlers to move the new ball. When Johnson gets it right, he has the ability to knock over the top order with his in-swinging delivery to the right-hander.”

What was even more intriguing about Johnson this year is the fact that he is retired from first class and international cricket. However, whenever the opportunity has presented itself, Johnson has grabbed it with both hands. “Having retired from cricket, Johnson got an opportunity with Perth Scorchers this year and did a good job for them. He was one of the major reasons why they won the final in BBL this year.”

Johnson was bought back by MI, a team that he has played for before and with a great amount of success. Ponting believes that his confidence would have remained at a good level after being picked. “He went back to the IPL, and went back to a team where he has tasted success before. To be the man to stand up in the last over says a lot about his experience and skills.”

Mitchell Johnson is one of the most experienced campaigners in the Mumbai Indians squad. He knows how the team operates, knows the culture within the team and has played with most of the boys in the past. Ponting added that his experience was the added advantage he had in his bag, when he bowled that over. “For Mitch, that’s the icing on the cake; for him to stand up like that and deliver when it matters the most, and win an IPL for his franchise. His experience was probably the reason Mumbai Indians got him back this season.”

Rohit Sharma had once mentioned during the post-match presentation that Bumrah has learnt a lot from Mitchell Johnson. We had one of the best pace batteries in the tournament, and Mitch was the perfect man at the front and even in the dressing room for the young quicks in the side. Johnson proved that age isn’t a factor if you can use your experience and skills during matches. Once a champion, always a champion!