T20 cricket is all about the entertainment. When we use the word ‘entertainment’, most of it translates into lots of runs, big sixes, quick-fire cameos and the like. Cricket has grown into a batsman-friendly game over the years and continues to do so, especially in the shortest format. Bats have become lighter, however the meat of the bat has gotten thicker and we’ve seen batsmen clear boundaries at will in the last decade or so. To add to that, the boundary ropes have been brought in too! And don’t fans just love to watch the ball scoot away through the in-field or fly into the stands and beyond! If cricket were an organisation, it’s the batsmen that would be the board of directors.

Mumbai Indians have always boasted of superior batsmen right from the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. From Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya to Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu, Mumbai Indians have a plethora of batsmen who could win us matches on their day.

Let’s take a look at Mumbai Indians’ batting artillery for the 10th edition of the VIVO IPL:

Rohit Sharma:

We mentioned how hitting sixes adds a zing to the IPL. Our captain, Rohit Sharma, is not only the backbone of our batting line-up, but has the second most number of sixes in IPL history. He joined our flank in 2011 and is the current leading run-getter for us. Captaincy beckoned in 2013 and the Hitman has a win percentage of 58.62 – the second highest among players who have captained in at least 10 games. Having won 2 IPL titles, Rohit will be gunning for his third as captain of Mumbai Indians.

Saurabh Tiwary:

There is something about batsmen that come out of Jharkhand – most of them are strongly built, they love hitting sixes, and finishing games too. One such batsman is Saurabh Tiwary, who returns to the Mumbai Indians squad after being purchased in the IPL 2017 auction. Tiwary’s shot to IPL fame came about in the 2010 season when he stepped up to the occasion and scored consistently for the team. Returning to the side he enjoyed most of his IPL success, the southpaw hit the most number of sixes in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy and would hope to carry the form into the IPL for Mumbai Indians.

Lendl Simmons:

He may not be as powerfully built as Pollard or Gayle, but Lendl Simmons has a Calypso calm about him. The Trinidadian was one of the key contributors to Mumbai Indians’ turn around in the 2015 season, which they eventually won. He was the leading run-scorer for the side that year with 472 runs, despite missing the first three games. After missing out on most of the 2016 season due to a back injury, Simmons will look to get back to his flamboyant best as an opener once again.

Nitish Rana:

If you’ve watched Mumbai Indians’ final match of the 2016 season, you can vouch for Nitish Rana’s abilities. Before the IPL in 2016, he had hit the most sixes in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and when the talented batsman got his chance with Mumbai Indians, he grabbed it with both hands and his bat. The 70 runs he scored off 36 balls was filled with power and determination. He will be waiting to get out there in the middle and smash a few more balls this season.

Siddhesh Lad:

Siddhesh Lad has turned into a known name in cricketing circles around Mumbai. A regular in the Ranji/state side, Lad has a canny knack of scoring vital runs when his team needs him to. Lad has proven his worth at the domestic stage with Mumbai, but is yet to make his debut in the IPL with Mumbai Indians. A stylish batsman, a handy bowler, and an athletic fielder, he will hope to make waves this season for MI.

Asela Gunarathne:

Asela Gunarathne was duly noticed by the world when he helped Sri Lanka beat Australia in a T20I series in February this year. The two half centuries got him picked in the IPL auction by Mumbai Indians. Many Sri Lankans have left an impact in the IPL over the years and Gunaratne will look to add to that list with some meaty contributions in the Mumbai Indians middle-order.

Mumbai Indians have been privileged to have star-studded batsman in their ranks and the trend will continue this season. Our batsmen have the cushioning feeling of being backed by some world-class bowlers as well, taking a lot of pressure off their backs. Perhaps, that is the secret behind the consistency with which our batsmen have dominated in the IPL. 2017 demands the same from our willow-wielders.