Mumbai have been the second-most successful franchise in Indian T20 League history in terms of win percentage, and the most successful team in terms of title wins.
The team has been part of some real humdingers during their 12 years in the Indian T20 League, and we pick out three of the most extraordinary matches that they were involved in.
Mumbai vs Rajasthan (2014)
One of the greatest Indian T20 League contests ever played wasn't a playoff game but a match that decided which team would go into the play-offs.
In 2014, the Mumbai-based franchise needed to gun down Rajasthan' target of 190 in 14.3 overs to qualify, after Sanju Samson and Karun Nair made half-centuries. If Mumbai reached the target in 14.3 overs, they would be through on net run rate.
New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson hit 95 in 44 balls to help Mumbai do the unbelievable, but there was a final twist when Ambati Rayudu was run out. With a boundary needed to win it for Mumbai off the last ball, new man Aditya Tare hit a first-ball six to take Mumbai through.
Mumbai vs Pune (2017 final)
The final of the 2017 Indian T20 League turned out to be an all-time classic between the teams representing the neighbouring cities. Batting first, Mumbai found themselves in a rut at 79/7, with the cream of their batting order back in the hut, thanks to good spells from Jaydev Unadkat, Adam Zampa and Dan Christian.
However, Krunal Pandya and Mitchell Johnson helped Mumbai clamber out of the hole with a half-century stand. Australian pacer Johnson then went on to snare three wickets in his four overs. It was Johnson’s dismissal of Steven Smith and Manoj Tiwary in the final over that truly turned the game on its head, before defending seven runs off the last five balls to win it for Mumbai.
Mumbai vs Chennai (2019 Indian T20 League final)
2019 was a year of stunning grand finales, and if the World Cup decider that year was an eye-catching one, then the Indian T20 League final was no less. As is usually the case with Mumbai, in a game that appeared lost, they came from behind to eke out a mesmerising win.
Defending the 150 runs on board, Mumbai appeared well out of the game as Shane Watson's 80 swung the game in favour of the MS Dhoni-led side.
Lasith Malinga appeared to be having a dreadful night, and when he was tasked with the final over, 13 runs were needed with Watson still at the crease. However, Chennai had lost Bravo to an excellent penultimate over from Bumrah that leaked just nine runs.
Malinga then gave the game a headspin when he contained the boundary flow in the first four balls. With Watson run-out off the fourth ball and just two runs off the fifth ball, Chennai needed two runs off one ball with Shardul Thakur on strike.
Unfortunately for the men in yellow, it was not to be, as the tail-ender was trapped in front of a searing Malinga yorker and Mumbai went on to win their fourth Indian T20 League title.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Noah Seelam
