CLT20 Team analysis: Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians will start as one of the strong favourites to win 2010 Airtel Champions league T20 cricket tournament. They are strengthened by the arrival of Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo. They will face competion from Bangalore to top group.  Guyana and South Austrlia may find it dificult to beat Mumbai Indians. Highveld Lions may give tough competition due to home advantage.

Group B teams: Mumbai Indians, Bangalore Royal Challengers, South Australia Redbacks, Highveld Lions.

Schedule of CLT20 matches: Vs Highveld Lions (September 10), Vs South Australia (September 14), Vs Guyana (September 16) & Vs Bangalore (September 19).

CLT20 team rating: 9/10

Crucial players: Sachin Tendulkar, Lasith Malinga & Kieron Pollard

2009 CL T20 History: Not played in 2009 Champions League

Qualification for 2010 CLT20 tournament: Losing finalists in the 2010 Indian Premier League

Mumbai Indians CLT20 team:

Coach: Baadal Bhojak

Captain: Sachin Tendulkar

Batsmen: Shikhar Dhawan, Saurabh Tiwary & J.P. Duminy

All-rounders: Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, R. Satish & Ryan McLaren

Wicket-keepers: Ambati Rayudu & Aditya Tare

Bowlers: Lasith Malinga, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Dhawal Kulkarni & Ali Murtaza

Significant events:

1. Failure of Trinidad Tobago helped Mumbai in two ways. One is availability of Kieron Pollard & Weak Guyana in group.

2. Dwayne Bravo & Pollard opted to play for Mumbai in stead of for Victoria Bushrangers and South Australia.

Mumbai Indians team analysis:

Strengths:

1. Sachin Tendulkar: He is in unbeleivable form in both T20 and Test cricket. He even took rest to prepare for Champions League. He plays well and inspires team-mates.

2. Easy group. Bangalore and Lions are only serious contenders. Guyana has no chance. South Australia is weakened by absence of Pollard and Shahid Afridi – their stand out performers.

3. Bowling: They have very good bowling attack. Lasith Malinga is one of the best T20 bowler. Ryan McLaren has good idea on South African wickets. Zaheer and Harbahjan generally bowl well for Mumbai Indians. Harbhajan is a different player under Sachin Tendulkar.

4. All-rounders: Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo & Ryan McLaren can match any team in this department. Pollard is a match winner and can swing the match Mumbai way in a few minutes with 3-4 sixers in one over.

5. Durban: Mumbai will play last 3 group games at Durban. Familiarity may help them.

6. Team spirit: They play like a closely knit unit under Sachin Tendulkar.

7. Management: Mukhesh and Nita Ambani are providing exceptional support to the team. If players want something, they provide it without thinking about financials.

Weaknesses:

1. Batting: They seem to depend too much on Sachin Tendulkar. When Sachin fails to play anchor role, Mumbai may collapse.

2. South African conditions: Mumbai played poorly in 2009 IPL held in South Africa.

3. Indian batsmen: Players like Ambati Rayudu, Saurabh Tiwary and Satish are not consistent in 2010 IPL.

4. Zaheer & Harbhajan: They are not firing on all cylinders in recent games.

Mumbai Indians Squad rating: 9/10

CLT20 Prediction for Mumbai Indians: Mumbai Indians are in easy group and play three matches at Durban which has significant Indian population. Last group match against Bangalore Royal Challengers will decide group topper. Mumbai Indians are expected to reach semi-finals/finals in thir first Champions League appearance. Lasith Malinga and Kieron Pollard are expected to perform well for Mumbai. Young Indian cricketers like Ambati Rayudu and Saurabh Tiwary will improve their chances to play for India if they play well in this international premium tournament.