Mumbai Indians - Sachin Tendulkar and the Mumbai IPL Team

Mumbai Indians is the Mumbai franchise of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket tournament. The team is hugely popular due to the legendary Indian batsman, Sachin Tendulkar who is also the captain. His popularity was evident during a match in IPL 4, where the fans of the opposing team chanted Tendulkar's name during his batting innings.

Mumbai Indians also has the incredible Srilankan bowler Lasith Malinga (also known as Slinga Malinga) and Harbhajan Singh, the formidable Indian bowler.

The Mumbai Indians performed very well in the 2010 IPL season or IPL 3, where they were ranked at the top of the IPL points table and progressed up to the finals. Their journey in IPL 4 or the 2011 season has also been strong. They are contenders for the IPL 4 trophy.

Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries - Owners of Mumbai Indians
The Mumbai franchise of the Indian Premier League T20 tournament was bought by Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) for a price of US $ 112.9 million in the year 2008. The Mumbai Indians, as the Mumbai IPL team was named, was the most expensive franchise at the time.

The Reliance group set up IndiaWin Sports Pvt.Ltd, through which the Mumbai franchise purchase was made.

Mukesh Ambani is the owner of Reliance Industries Ltd, which is the largest private sector company in India. Mukesh Ambani, his wife Nita Ambani and their children are often at the Mumbai Indians matches, cheering the team enthusiastically.

The sponsors and partners of Mumbai Indians are Hero Honda, Mastercard, Bridgestone, Adidas, Kingfisher, Air India, Oakley, Coca-Cola, Godrej, MSN and Loop. The star power of Sachin Tendulkar and the large number of Mumbai fans has attracted top companies.

Mumbai Indians' IPL Performance 2008-2010
Let's take a look at Mumbai Indians' record from IPL 1 to IPL 4 (2008 to 2010 season of the IPL).

• IPL 1 (2008) - In the inaugural edition of the IPL, the Mumbai Indians could not qualify for the semi-finals. Some highlights of their IPL1 journey are:
  
  
  • Out of 14 matches, the Mumbai Indians won 7 and lost 7.
  • The Mumbai team was placed fifth in the IPL points table, with 14 points and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.570.
  • The team was captained by Sachin Tendulkar, who was also the icon player of the franchise. Due to an injury to Sachin, Harbhajan Singh and Shaun Pollock took over as captains for some time.
  • Some other key players were Srilankan batsman Sanath Jayasuriya, bowler Ashish Nehra, Dwayne Bravo, Dilhara Fernando, Saurabh Tiwary and Manish Pandey.
    
    
• IPL 2 (2009) - In IPL 2 held in South Africa, the Mumbai Indians' performance slipped further. Features of their IPL 2 play are:
  
  
  • Out of 14 matches, the Mumbai Indians won 5 matches and lost 8. (One match abandoned due to rain).
  • In IPL 2, the Mumbai team ranked seventh among eight teams at the IPL points table, with 11 points and NRR of -0.789.
  • Captain Sachin Tendulkar displayed some good batting and was Man of the Match in two games.
  • Other key players in the 2009 squad included South African JP Duminy and Harbhajan Singh.
    
    
• IPL 3 (2010) - The Mumbai Indians showed their true capabilities during IPL 3, finishing as runners-up. Highlights of their performance in the IPL 2010 season are:
  
  
  • Out of 14 matches, the Mumbai team won 10 and lost 4.
  • Mumbai Indians topped the IPL table with 20 points and NRR of +1.084.
  • They beat Royal Challengers Bangalore in the semi-finals.
  • The Mumbai Indians lost to the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 3 finals.
  • Captain Sachin Tendulkar was Man of the Match in 4 games. He also scored the most runs in IPL 3.
  • Other important players for Mumbai Indians were Saurabh Tiwary, Ambati Rayudu, Kieron Pollard, Lasith Malinga, Harbhajan Singh and Ryan Mclaren.
    
    

Mumbai Indians in IPL 2011 Season or IPL 4
In IPL 4, players were put up for re-auction. Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh were retained in the IPL 4 Mumbai Indians squad.

The Mumbai Indians in the 2011 season of the IPL are expected to give tough competition to the other teams for the IPL trophy. Mumbai is the first team in IPL4 to qualify for the semi-finals.

After 12 matches, the Mumbai Indians had 8 wins and 4 losses.

The Mumbai Indians 2011 squad includes batsmen such as Sachin Tendulkar who is also the captain, RG Sharma and Ambati Rayudu (also wicketkeeper). Some all-rounders are Kieron Pollard, Andrew Symonds, R.Sathish and TL.Suman.

The bowlers for Mumbai Indians in IPL 4 include Lasith Malinga, Munaf Patel and Harbhajan Singh.

The Mumbai Indians team is coached by Robin Singh.

Visit the Mumbai Indians website at www.mumbaiindians.com and IPL official website at www.iplt20.com