New Delhi, March 21: Former Indian left-arm fast bowler Irfan Pathan has weighed in on the ongoing debate regarding the best team in the Indian Premier League (IPL), asserting that the Mumbai Indians hold an edge over the Chennai Super Kings. Pathan highlighted that Mumbai has produced numerous match-winners for Indian cricket.
In an interview with JioStar, Pathan stated, “Choosing between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians as the best IPL team has always been a topic of debate. Chennai started winning IPL titles in 2010, clinching back-to-back championships in 2010 and 2011, becoming the first team to do so. However, once the Mumbai Indians began their winning streak in 2013, they have consistently claimed titles every alternate year, including consecutive wins in 2019 and 2020.”
Pathan emphasized the significant contribution of the Mumbai Indians to Indian cricket, saying, “What I admire most about Mumbai Indians is their crucial role in Indian cricket. The number of match-winner players they have produced is truly commendable. How do they achieve this? First, they build a strong franchise. Second, they deliver excellent results with the team they have. Last season, Mumbai had a formidable team that could have easily won the trophy, but for various reasons, they fell short.”
He further noted, “Chennai Super Kings do not have four Indian captains, while the Mumbai Indians do. In terms of building a team and contributing to a larger purpose, I believe Mumbai Indians are the best IPL team. I know Chennai Super Kings will always argue that they are the best too, as they have also won five trophies. There is no doubt about that. This debate will continue, and it is a valid one. However, I feel Mumbai Indians have the upper hand because they have given Indian cricket such outstanding players and young talents.”