Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Apr 2: An hour after sunset at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Monday, a new cricketing star emerged in the Mumbai Indians' lineup. Ashwani Kumar, a 23-year-old pacer from Jhanjheri village near Mohali, delivered a dream debut, claiming four wickets against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders—marking the best-ever figures for an Indian IPL debutant.
His journey, from Punjab’s hinterlands to IPL stardom, is a testament to Mumbai Indians' unparalleled scouting system. Unlike aspiring actors who flock to Mumbai hoping to be discovered, MI’s talent hunters take the reverse route—scouring India’s obscure cricketing circuits, dusty maidans, and lesser-known leagues to unearth future superstars.
The franchise’s celebrated scouting team includes former India coach John Wright, ex-national selectors Kiran More and TA Sekhar, and cricketing stalwarts like Zaheer Khan, Robin Singh, RP Singh, Vinay Kumar, Paras Mhambrey, and Parthiv Patel. MI’s data analyst CKM Dhananjai and several former players also contribute to this rigorous talent search.
After MI's victory, skipper Hardik Pandya credited the scouts. “Our scouting team deserves the credit for spotting Ashwani’s potential. They identified his zip, late swing, and unique action early on. They’ve searched across India to pick players like him,” he said.
Ashwani was discovered in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 tournament in Chandigarh, much like MI’s latest left-arm wrist-spinner Vignesh Puthur, who debuted with a three-wicket haul against Chennai Super Kings. The scouts had identified Vignesh before Kerala selectors even took notice of him. Other raw talents unearthed by MI include Jharkhand’s wicketkeeper Robin Minz and Afghan mystery spinner Allah Ghazanfar.
Mumbai Indians’ scouting system mirrors the elite talent-spotting methods of European football clubs. The franchise has transformed hidden gems into international stars—Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik and Krunal Pandya, Axar Patel, and Yuzvendra Chahal being prime examples.
Ashwani had been on MI’s radar for two seasons, impressing in Punjab’s domestic circuit and the Sher-e-Punjab T20. His sharp yorkers, deceptive angles, and disguised variations earned him an MI contract. Similarly, Vignesh was identified during the Kerala Cricket League in Thiruvananthapuram before being fast-tracked to Mumbai, tested in a T20 Invitational Trophy, and then trained with MI’s SA20 franchise in South Africa alongside Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan.
MI’s model blends marquee international players with emerging domestic talent, ensuring a balanced squad. While they invest millions in global stars, their scouting system provides a steady influx of fresh talent.
MI’s scouting network follows a structured process. Identified players’ videos are shared on a dedicated WhatsApp group, where experts provide their assessments. If consensus is reached, the player is invited to Mumbai for trials. Once deemed ready, they undergo rigorous training before earning a spot in the playing XI.
This painstaking effort has produced numerous Indian and IPL stars. As Rohit Sharma acknowledged in a JioCinema interview, “People call MI a superstar team, but there’s immense hard work behind it. Our scouts deserve the credit for spotting Hardik, Krunal, Bumrah, and Axar and giving them a platform.”
The scouts don’t just assess skill but also gauge a player’s temperament, attitude, and work ethic—seeking insights from coaches, teammates, and umpires. Promising talents are tracked over multiple seasons before recruitment. For instance, Tilak Varma was under MI’s watch for three years before his selection. Some ex-players also recommend talents—Saurabh Tiwary vouched for Robin Minz, paving his way into the MI camp.
Not every scouted player becomes the next Bumrah or Pandya, but MI’s talent-hunting machine ensures that the brightest prospects get their shot at stardom.