Irfan Pathan picked the Mumbai Indians over the Chennai Super Kings as the greatest IPL team, citing their strong contribution to Indian cricket and match-winners.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan rated the Mumbai Indians ahead of Chennai Super Kings as the greatest IPL team. Both sides have won the same number of titles, but Pathan highlighted MI’s impact on Indian cricket. He pointed to the number of players from MI who succeeded at the national level.
He explained that MI built success through strong scouting and balanced squad planning. CSK, until 2026, preferred experienced and proven names.
CSK began their title run in 2010 and 2011 with back-to-back wins. MI started winning in 2013 and followed a pattern of success in alternate years. They also secured consecutive titles in 2019 and 2020. Pathan added that MI had a strong squad last season but missed the trophy despite high expectations.
“CSK started winning the IPL title from 2010 onwards. They won back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011 and were the first team to do so. But when Mumbai Indians started winning from 2013, they kept winning after every alternate year. Then they won the IPL trophy back-to-back in 2019 and 2020,” he said.
“What I like about Mumbai is their contribution to Indian cricket. The number of match winners they have produced for the Indian team is absolutely tremendous. How do you achieve that? First, you make your franchise big. Second, you deliver results with the team you have. Even now, Mumbai Indians had a great squad last season that could have easily won the trophy, but they couldn’t for different reason,” Pathan added.
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Irfan Pathan also highlighted another key difference between the franchises. He noted that the Mumbai Indians have produced 4 Indian captains.
“CSK don’t have four Indian captains, Mumbai Indians do. In that respect, assembling a team and contributing to a bigger cause, I think Mumbai Indians are the greatest IPL team. I know CSK will always say they are also the greatest, having won five trophies too. There is no doubt. There will always be a debate and it is a fair debate. But I think Mumbai Indians take the edge because they have given so many wonderful cricketers and young talents to Indian cricket,” Pathan concluded.
The discussion remains open, but MI leads narrowly in Pathan’s assessment.
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