Sources: 
Ravichandran Ashwin has spotlighted the Mumbai Indians' blend of luck and resilience as key factors in their IPL playoff success. Reflecting on a 2018 match against Punjab Kings, Ashwin recalled a pivotal moment when a sudden floodlight failure caused a 20-minute break, after which Mumbai Indians surged from a precarious position to a commanding total.
"I've seen one thing against Mumbai Indians, every time. In 2018, I was leading Punjab against MI. They were 80-odd for five wickets in 13 overs. They weren't anywhere in the game. Suddenly, the floodlights lost current and we had a 20-minute break. And when the game resumed, went ballistic and they went to smash around 180-200 runs," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
This incident exemplifies the team's ability to capitalize on unexpected opportunities, a trait that has helped MI secure five IPL titles, the joint highest in the league's history. Despite a challenging start to the current season, Mumbai Indians demonstrated resilience by clinching a playoff spot through consecutive wins.
The team's winning culture, as emphasized by head coach Mahela Jayawardene, is nurtured by senior players who instill a strong mentality and strategic planning. Jayawardene noted,
"When you have a winning culture, its easier to try and have that same thing going through even if you have a new group." He added,
"The conversation that he has around planning is about how we can get better and how we can push through, that winning mentality itself comes from those senior players."Jayawardene also highlighted the importance of experienced players in cultivating this culture for newcomers, stating,
"Having those experienced guys who have won those trophies does help and my job is to try and cultivate that for the new guys who come to the team."Together, these elements of luck, resilience, and a strong winning culture continue to define Mumbai Indians' enduring success in the IPL.
Sources: Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted Mumbai Indians' playoff luck and resilience in the IPL, recalling a 2018 match where a power outage shifted momentum. Despite a rocky start this season, MI secured a playoff spot, continuing their legacy as five-time champions in the cash-rich league.
