Aditya Tare - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN: 07 Nov 1987, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
TEAMS: MI
BATS: RIGHT-HANDED
BOWLS: ---

A young wicketkeeper-batsman, Aditya Tare has come up through the Mumbai U-17 and U-19 ranks. He has waited for his chance in the Ranji Trophy and has bided his time by playing efficiently for the Mumbai sides. His batting is certainly his stronger suit. He will finally get a chance to show his wares when he dons the senior wicketkeeper's role in Ranji Trophy cricket with regular Vinayak Samant moving on.

AT Rayudu - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN: 23 Sep 1985, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
TEAMS: MI
BATS: RIGHT-HANDED
BOWLS:

This prodigious young talent drew attention for his run making ability in junior cricket. He holds the record for the youngest player to score a double hundred in first class cricket. And at 17 he was named in an India `A' squad. The experts marked him out as a batsman to watch out for and some hailed him as the next big thing. He has captained India's Under-19 team and was ear marked for greater things. A fluent strokeplayer, Rayudu seemed destined for a long India career when events off the field took a toll on his career. IPL 2010 could be the turning point for his career.

STR Binny - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN: 03 Jun 1984, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
TEAMS:
BATS: RIGHT-HANDED
BOWLS: RIGHT-ARM MEDIUM

Son of former India all rounder Roger Binny, Stuart, like his father, is proficient in both departments of the game. He bowls a stump to stump line and troubles batsmen with his variations in pace and length. He has not been a regular in the Karnataka State team since he made his debut in 2003-04, yet is quite handy with the bat and has made a name for himself as a one day specialist.

KS Sahabuddin - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN 01 Jul 1979, Kadiri, Andhra Pradesh, India
TEAMS MI
BATS RIGHT-HANDED
BOWLS RIGHT-ARM MEDIUM FAST

A sturdy medium pace all rounder, Sahabuddin is just the cricketer who would add balance to any Twenty20 line-up. Since his first-class debut in 1998-99, Sahabuddin has taken 180 wickets in 56 games. He returned to the Andhra Pradesh Ranji side this season after a brief while away. In his comeback game, he slammed a useful hundred.

R Sathish - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN: 14 Jan 1981, Tiruchchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India

TEAMS: MI

BATS: RIGHT-HANDED

BOWLS: RIGHT-ARM MEDIUM

R Sathish hasn't had an easy journey in the cricketing world. Sathish, who comes from a modest background in Trichy, was so passionate about cricket that he even changed schools for the sake of the game. He would cycle 20 kms every day for practice. He made the Tamil Nadu Ranji team during the 2000-01 season.

However, when he couldn't find a regular place in the squad, he moved to Assam in 2003. The move proved to be good for his career he averaged over 54 over two seasons. He has been picked up by Mumbai Indians who could use a batting all rounder in their ranks.

AG Murtaza - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN: 01 Jan 1990, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
TEAMS: MI
BATS: LEFT HANDED
BOWLS: LEFT-ARM MEDIUM

He started his career in a modest way and began by using his brother's kit. Like many players from Uttar Pradesh, Murtaza too began his career by training at the prestigious Lucknow Sports Hostel. He joined the hostel at 11 and learnt his trade there. Thereafter, Murtaza honed his skills at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) under the tutelage of Ventakesh Prasad & Chandrakant Pandit.

Kieron Pollard - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN: 12 May 1987, Tacarigua, Trinidad, West Indies

TEAMS: MI

BATS: RIGHT-HANDED

BOWLS: RIGHT-ARM MEDIUM FAST

One may consider Kieron Pollard to be an inexperienced player, given he has only appeared in a handful of ODIs for the West Indies, but one can be sure that the Trinidadian is a pretty talented cricketer and has all the makings of a match winner. From the moment he scored a 71 ball century on his first class debut (including a first ball six), Pollard was spoken about as one who had a lot of potential to go the distance.

Though disappointing in his outings for the West Indies, Pollard established a reputation for himself in the Champions League Twenty20 in 2009, where he was one of the star performers while his team ended up runners-up. That reputation helped him bag a contract with the South Australian Redbacks; he made an impact immediately, finishing as the team's leading run-scorer and guiding them to their first Big Bash final.

No boundary can be too big for the 22 year old Trinidadian who can be a very dangerous customer in the 20-over format, destructive form the moment he takes guard. A livewire on the field, Pollard is a very good catcher and an athletic fielder; he is a very handy bowler too and his wicket-to-wicket line can strangle batsmen.

Given his all round capabilities, it came as no surprise that Pollard drew fierce competition from four franchises at the IPL Auction 2010. Eventually though, it was the Mumbai Indians who won him through the silent tie breaker for an undisclosed sum, and they will be hoping he can help change their fortunes around this season.

Abhishek Nayar - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN: 08 Oct 1983, Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

TEAMS: MI

BATS: LEFT HANDED

BOWLS: RIGHT-ARM MEDIUM

Another player from the Mumbai Indians' all-rounders' club, Abhishek Nayar is a hard-hitting left-hand batsman and a handy right hand medium pacer. A terrific performer at the domestic level, Nayar was snapped up by Mumbai Indians very quickly. One of the kind who can turn the match on its head, Nayar's progress as a cricketer has been constant.

And his burgeoning talent hasn't gone unnoticed with the national selectors; he was rewarded with a call up to the Indian ODI squad on the tour of West Indies in June 2009 on the back of some outstanding performances in the second season of IPL. The fact that the Mumbai Indians genuinely rate the all-rounder is amply illustrated by the fact that he is the only player to have featured in every starting line-up of the Mumbai Indians.

Ryan McLaren - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN: 09 Feb 1983, Kimberley, South Africa

TEAMS: MI

BATS: LEFT HANDED

BOWLS: RIGHT-ARM MEDIUM FAST

You name it, he can do it. Ryan McLaren is the complete all-round player. His aggressive seam bowling and middle order runs for the Diamond Eagles is what caught the attention of the Mumbai Indians. His exploits don't just end in South Africa, as McLaren took a hat trick in the Twenty20 Cup final in 2007 to help Kent win the trophy.

A seasoned campaigner at a relatively young age, McLaren brings with him genuine ability to perform with the bat and the ball. The South African still has to play a game for the Mumbai Indians, but things are looking bright for McLaren.

Sanath Jayasuriya - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN: 30 Jun 1969, Matara, Sri Lanka

TEAMS: MI

BATS: LEFT HANDED

BOWLS: LEFT-ARM SPIN

He may be the oldest man in the competition, but Sanath Jayasuriya continues to be the go-to man when the task is to post unbelievable scores or to chase down record breaking targets. A clean hitter of the cricket ball, Jayasuriya can rip the best of bowlers apart when on song. He scored 514 runs for the Mumbai Indians at an astonishing average of close to 43 in the first season, and with cat-like reflexes, agility that defies his age and a heart as big as a lion's, Jayasuriya is a complete champion.

His bat does so much of the talking that his bowling is often overlooked. Four wickets in the first edition combined with seven in the second, proves that the wily Sri Lankan is full of surprises.

Dwayne Bravo - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN: 07 Oct 1983, Santa Cruz, Trinidad, West Indies

TEAMS: MI

BATS: RIGHT-HANDED

BOWLS: RIGHT-ARM MEDIUM FAST

When in need of some calypso magic, call Dwayne Bravo. The Trinidadian is the perfect T20 player; he can play the conservative game but turn on the heat and send the ball a long way when the need arises, can bowl with plenty of variety and is an outstanding fielder.

Bravo's batting style is a mixture of explosive hitting and composed thinking. A man for any crisis situation, his ingenuity can rescue even a lost cause. His contributions with the bat have been more than handy; he scored 178 runs in the first season and bettered it by 40 runs in the second season.

As a bowler, he is a bit of a mixed bag; he can go for runs, but will pick up key wickets as well. In simple words, one can never keep the Trinidadian out of the game, and he could possibly be Mumbai Indians' star man in the coming IPL seasons.

Saurabh Tiwary - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN: 30 Dec 1989, Jamshedpur, Bihar, India

TEAMS: MI

BATS: LEFT HANDED

BOWLS: ---

Saurabh Tiwary represents what the Mumbai Indians have to offer in terms of its young talent. But this hard hitting right handed batsman has more than just age on his side. A powerful stroke maker, Tiwary could be one of the unknowns to excel in the IPL.

Having captained Jharkhand at a young age, Tiwary exudes plenty of confidence and leadership skills. The highlight of his career so far has been being a member of the India Under 19 squad that won the World Cup in Malaysia in 2008.

His performance in the second IPL season might not have done justice to his talent, but plenty more opportunities in the coming seasons is definitely on the cards.

J-P Duminy - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN: 14 Apr 1984, Strandfontein, Cape Town, South Africa

TEAMS: MI

BATS: LEFT HANDED

BOWLS: RIGHT-ARM OFF SPIN

Jean Paul Duminy's talent is worth a lot; in monetary terms about $950,000, which was what the Mumbai Indians' owners shelled out to sign up the immensely talented South African batsman. In cricketing terms, he is an immensely talented cricketer, simply said, destined for greatness.

Duminy proved that he is not just another paper superstar. In IPL Season two, he was the leading run getter for the Mumbai Indians with 372 runs in 13 matches at an impressive average of above 41.33. Playing alongside and outscoring the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya will only have boosted Duminy's confidence.

The Mumbai Indians won't be too far from lifting the IPL Trophy if Duminy can turn in a performance like he did in South Africa in 2009.

Shikhar Dhawan - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN: 05 Dec 1985, Delhi, India

TEAMS: MI

BATS: LEFT HANDED

BOWLS ---

Shikhar Dhawan has all that it takes to become a real champion in the game of cricket. His powerful batting and excellent fielding make him a perfect candidate for the high octane world of T20 cricket.

Dhawan played for the Delhi Daredevils in the first edition of the IPL and was their third top run-getter with 340 runs in 14 matches with an average of 37.77. But his move to the Mumbai Indians didn't quite go according to plan after scoring just 40 runs in 5 matches.

Still in his mid twenties, Dhawan will be hoping he can make the most of playing in home conditions. He has had a great domestic cricket season, and will be hoping new coach Robin Singh will give him an opportunity to showcase his talent more often.

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN: 24 Apr 1973, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

TEAMS: MI

BATS: RIGHT-HANDED

BOWLS: RIGHT-ARM OFF/LEG SPIN

No one has ever captured the imagination of the cricket-watching public like Sachin Tendulkar has over the past two decades. His dedication and commitment towards the game remain unparalleled, and Tendulkar is certain to have almost all batting records against his name by the time he hangs up his boots. Success in the 20 over format seems to have eluded the Little Champion, both at the international level and in the IPL.

Though retired from International Twenty20, the master continues to play in the IPL with the hope of finding glory in the game's newest format. After two disappointing finishes in the IPL he didn't play for most part of the inaugural season because of injury and his team finished second last in the second season Tendulkar will be giving his all to guide the Mumbai Indians towards title glory.

AN Ahmed - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN: 05 Nov 1988, Guwahati, Assam, India

TEAMS: MI

BATS: RIGHT-HANDED

BOWLS: RIGHT-ARM MEDIUM-FAST

Along with Yo Mahesh of Delhi Daredevils, Abu Nechim was part of a lethal opening combination for India in the 2006 Under-19 World Cup. Snaring four wickets in the semi-finals, he almost single handedly took the team through.

He is quite nippy and gets the ball to move both ways, an art that some of the more experienced players are yet to master. Along with swing and pace he has something that most bowlers these days lack of control which is of paramount importance in this format of the game.

Nechim could offer good support to Dhawal Kulkarni in the Mumbai Indians unit.

Harbhajan Singh - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN 03 Jul 1980, Jalandhar, Punjab, India

TEAMS MI

BATS RIGHT-HANDED

BOWLS RIGHT-ARM OFF SPIN

He has gone through his fair share of ups and downs, but Harbhajan Singh, India's latest spin-bowling spearhead, is all set to embark upon a new phase in his career. His transition from a fiery teenager to composed senior will be crucial to his development as a cricketer. 'Bhajji', as he is fondly called, is India's most successful off-spinner and a bowler batsmen hate to play.

After a disappointing first season for cricketing reasons and otherwise Harbhajan bounced back in style in South Africa, picking up 12 wickets at an economy rate of under six. Now with the world's premier T20 competition back to India, the Sardar from Jalandhar will be hoping to make use of the Indian conditions and take the tournament by storm.

His spirit and grit along with his brimming talent should certainly help the Mumbai Indians take a step closer to achieving their ultimate goal of IPL glory.

SL Malinga - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN 04 Sep 1983, Galle, Sri Lanka
TEAMS MI
BATS RIGHT-HANDED
BOWLS RIGHT-ARM FAST

Young, fast and very difficult to play, Lasith Malinga is more than a handful with the ball in his hand. In an era where coaches emphasise correct technique - an upright wrist, proper landing of the front foot and a pulley like action of the leading arm Malinga possesses everything but the technique recommended by coaching manuals.

His slingy action is tricky to decipher; he releases the ball from almost in front of the umpire's face, and combined with pace and unpredictable bounce, he becomes a batsman's nightmare. After missing the inaugural season of the IPL with a knee injury, he was at his devastating best in the second season in South Africa. His sense of fashion is almost as emphatic as his out of the box action.

DS Kulkarni - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN 10 Dec 1988, Mumbai,Maharashtra, India

TEAMS MI

BATS RIGHT-HANDED

BOWLS RIGHT-ARM MEDIUM FAST

Dhawal Kulkarni's thin frame might not suggest an extra ordinary ability. But his medium pace has been a real hit ever since he arrived on the domestic cricket scene in 2008.

A bowler who depends on seam movement and swing rather than raw pace, he made a name for himself in the first season of the IPL by claiming 11 wickets. Learning the nuances of seam bowling from Mumbai Indians mentor Shaun Pollock, Kulkarni was the leading wicket taker in the Ranji Trophy in 2008/09, and was duly rewarded with a place in the Indian senior Test squad for the tour of New Zealand.

A shrewd bowler with his best years ahead of him, Dhawal Kulkarni could very well become a regular in the Mumbai Indians starting lineup.

Zaheer Khan - Mumbai Indians Players (DLF IPL 2010)

BORN: 17 Oct 1978, Shrirampur, Maharashtra, India

TEAMS: MI

BATS: RIGHT-HANDED

BOWLS: LEFT-ARM FAST MEDIUM

Zaheer Khan might be wondering what he needs to do to break the jinx that has followed him in the IPL. He was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore outfit which finished second from the bottom of the table in the inaugural season.

But a move to the Mumbai Indians in Season two turned out to be no better; the team finished second last in 2009. A seasoned campaigner now the leader of the Indian bowling attack - Zaheer has battled several injuries, but continues to be developing skills continuously.

A shoulder injury meant he could only play n six matches in Season-II, but 'Zak' is back now and bowling as well as he ever has. He is surely raring to have a go at the batsmen and making amends for lost time will be at the top of his agenda for the season ahead.

A guiding light for the other bowlers, Zaheer Khan's experience with the new ball could very well set the tone for the Mumbai Indians' IPL title charge.