How Mumbai Indians Coach Picked Selection Process Explained

So I got this idea after talking to my neighbor’s cricket-crazy kid. Wondered how those big teams like Mumbai Indians actually pick players behind closed doors. Thought I’d try recreating their coach’s thought process myself.

Starting Point Was Pure Chaos

First, dumped every player stat I could find onto my kitchen table. Notebooks everywhere, sticky notes plastering the wall. Felt like a mad scientist. Printed out:

• Last 3 years’ batting averages
• Bowling economy rates circled in red marker
• Weird notes like “can’t play left-arm spin” clipped from newspaper articles

Looked like a tornado hit a sports magazine.

The ‘Scouting’ Disaster

Faked being a team scout for local matches. Stood there scribbling nonsense in a notepad while teenagers played. Two problems:
First, half these kids weren’t even Mumbai material. Second, my handwriting’s garbage. Couldn’t read my own notes later. Pointless exercise.

Tried making “data cards” for players – color-coded stickers and all. Wasted three hours just finding where I left the damn sticker sheet. Cat was batting it around the floor.

Selection Day Simulation

Cleared my dining room like a war room. Put names on cereal boxes since I ran out of paper. Moved them around like chess pieces while arguing with myself:

• “Can’t pick Sharma AND Yadav – both collapse under pressure!”
• “This bowler’s expensive but takes wickets? Ugh.”
• “Do we need another all-rounder? Always need all-rounders…”

Spilled coffee on two “players.” Felt legit.

Tools? Forget Tools

Tried those fancy apps they advertise. Wound up with players ranked by Instagram followers. Useless. Went back to paper and shouting at cereal boxes.

Realized coaches probably just weigh three things:

• Past performance (stats don’t lie until they do)
• Pressure Handling (guesswork mostly)
• Team Chemistry (aka “will this guy start fights?”)

Why This Messed Up Process?

Simple. Too many opinions. Three coaches would have five arguments before breakfast. Scouts see different things in players. Owners meddle. Ends up like my dining room table – compromises everywhere.

Here’s the secret truth: Nobody actually knows who’ll perform. Picking teams is gambling with salaries. Coach just picks what won’t get him fired.

How I Know This Stuff?

My cousin washes uniforms for a state team. Saw selectors fight over roti at lunch. Heard a chief scout tell the coach, “That guy’s stats look good but his mother-in-law troubles affect his backfoot play.” Total nonsense reasons. Cricket decisions are made like my grocery list – impulsive and based on what’s fresh at the market.