Talent begets dreams, and dreams give rise to legends. At Mumbai Indians, we take pride in being a nursery for talents and a platform where success stories are created and celebrated for future generations to look up to.

The symbiotic relationship between cricket, MI and the Indian cricket team is now in its 16th year of bliss and blessings - with Tilak Varma being not just the latest flag-bearer of our commitment to producing a world-class player but a dreamer who is empowered to carry India to the next level.

The southpaw follows in the footsteps of some of the well-known Indian superstars - Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Abhishek Nayar, Manish Pandey, Dhawal Kulkarni and Mayank Markande - who set a precedent with their adventures in the Blue and Gold before scripting fairy tales in the Blue drip of India.

Certain players, such as Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, were effectively part of the MI setup but didn’t get a bigger window of opportunities. However, as part of our Fa-MI-ly once, we have celebrated their success as part of the Indian cricket team across ICC tournaments or bilaterals.

Ishan Kishan and Shikhar Dhawan are arguably the most notable players who didn’t start their IPL careers at MI, but their experience in the Blue and Gold was a lane that led to the long highway of success with the Indian team.

There is a healthy mix of players - whether or not they had a significant role in the MI team - who we are proud to have been a stepping stone to realise the ultimate dream of representing India at the international level.

What do you say, Paltan? What are your first memories of these players in the MI jersey? Go on, tell us in the comments.