4 similarities between IPL's Mumbai Indians and MLC's MI New York

MINY & MI (Source: Twitter)

MI New York (MINY) recorded their first win of the 2023 Major Cricket League (MLC) by thrashing Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) by 105 runs on Monday (July 17). MINY is the fifth team of the MI franchise that started with Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Other teams they own are MI Women's Team (Women's Premier League), MI Emirates (ILT20) and MI Cape Town (SA20).

MI has been a part of the IPL since its inception in 2008 and has evolved into one of the most successful franchises in the cash-rich league – winning the elusive trophy five times. They have had talented youngsters and world-class players in their squad over the years - one of the main reasons for their great journey. Interestingly, MINY's roster is mostly filled with MI players and coaches who can make the franchise dominant in the MLC.

In this article we will look at five similarities between Mumbai Indians and MI New York:

4. Majority of the players and coaches are the same

Former Mumbai Indians player Robin Peterson is MINY's head coach, while MI legend Lasith Malinga is their bowling coach. MINY is captained by former MI all-rounder and current batting coach Kieron Pollard. Former MI star pacer Trent Boult and former wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran have also been linked with the franchise in the United States. Current MI players Dewald Brevis, Tim David, Jason Behrendroff and Tristan Stubbs also play in MINY.

3. Left-handed wicketkeepers

Both MI and MI have left-handed wicketkeepers. While MI youngster Ishan Kishan is behind the wickets in the IPL, West Indian power hitter Pooran is doing the same in the MLC. As good as both of them are behind the stumps, they also contribute well to the batting unit. Playing in MI's top order, Kishan is giving his team a strong start along with captain Rohit Sharma. On the other hand, Pooran, who is known for his destructive batting, usually takes up the finishing role.

2. Both cities are commerce hubs

MINY's New York and MI's Mumbai are major cities with a population of over 10 million. Both cities are the commerce hubs of their respective lands and are known for their diverse populations, cultural centers and vibrant energy. Furthermore, both cities have a significant cultural presence in cinema and fashion, as well as a vibrant nightlife and a diverse food scene.

1. Lost the first match

MI were defeated by Royal Challengers Bangalore by five wickets in their first IPL encounter on April 20, 2008, at the Wankhede Stadium. Captained by legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, the franchise finished fifth in the points table that season. Likewise, MINY lost their first MLC match to San Francisco Unicorns by 22 runs on July 15, 2023, at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.