Mumbai Indians, the undisputed champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), are gearing up for a seismic shift! MI had the most balanced and successful squad in the IPL history, but they could only retain four players: captain Rohit Sharma, lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah, middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav, and all-rounder Kieron Pollard.
In a jaw-dropping trade, Mumbai Indians have snagged the powerhouse all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, from the Gujrat Titans, rewriting the history books and setting the stage for an electrifying season. But that’s not all – the Mumbai Indians have unleashed their strategic prowess, unleashing a tornado in the trading arena by parting ways with Cameron Green, who now finds himself amidst the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Now, the suspense builds as we unravel the top-secret list of potential targets in the IPL 2024 Auction that could elevate Mumbai Indians to unprecedented heights.
Mitchell Starc:
Mumbai Indians’ plan for the auction is mainly focused on getting good fast bowlers, especially those from other countries. Mitchell Starc is expected to be a key player for them. Starc is known as one of the best fast bowlers in today’s cricket, and he is likely to be expensive in the IPL 2024 auction. Many teams will compete to sign him because he can be a powerful addition to their bowling team.
Starc played for RCB in 2014 and 2015, and later, Kolkata Knight Riders bought him in 2018, but he didn’t play any matches. In the 27 IPL matches he has played so far, Starc has taken 34 wickets.
Many teams are interested in getting Starc because he is a scary bowler for batsmen. Mumbai Indians see him as a valuable player who can meet their bowling needs well.
Pat Cummins:
Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, has earned praise worldwide for leading his team well and performing exceptionally in the ODI World Cup 2023. He’s a remarkable player known for his skills in both batting and bowling. Teams from all over the world are interested in him, and if he joins the IPL 2024 auction, many teams are likely to compete to sign him. They see him as a player who can strengthen and balance their squads.
In the 42 IPL games he has played so far, Cummins has taken 45 wickets with an average of 30.16. His best performance in a match is 4/34, and he has an economy of 8.54. Besides his bowling, Cummins has also shown decent skills with the bat. In the IPL Auction 2022, the Kolkata franchise successfully acquired him for Rs 7.25 crore.
Wanindu Hasaranga:
The Mumbai franchise could benefit from the unexpected release of Wanindu Hasaranga by the Royal Challengers Bangalore. They should consider signing him because he’s a fantastic spinner and can also contribute with the bat in the lower order.
Hasaranga was picked up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2021 and played in 26 matches, taking 35 wickets with an economy of 8.13.
Currently, the Mumbai Indians squad lacks an overseas spinner, and adding Hasaranga could create a strong partnership with the experienced Piyush Chawla. If Mumbai Indians decide to go for Hasaranga, this duo could become a formidable force in the middle overs. Hasaranga could be a valuable addition to the team and might be exactly what the Mumbai Indians need.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman:
If Mumbai Indians can’t sign Wanindu Hasaranga, they might consider bidding for the talented Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman. His versatility and ability to outsmart batters make him a potential solution to Mumbai’s spin-related challenges. Mujeeb, a right-arm spinner, has been part of the IPL for the past few seasons and showcased his bowling skills in the ICC World Cup 2023.
So far, Mujeeb has taken 19 wickets in 19 matches. He remained unsold in the last year’s auction and is eager to prove himself on the big stage. Investing in a quality spinner like Mujeeb would make sense for Mumbai Indians, adding a valuable asset to their team.
Gerald Coetzee:
The Mumbai Indians have a strong opening bowling pair with Jasprit Bumrah and Jason Behrendorff. However, they require a third seamer who can make an impact in the middle overs. South African youngster Gerald Coetzee, known for consistently performing well in white-ball cricket, appears to be a good choice for this role.
Coetzee garnered attention for his excellent bowling displays during the World Cup. His skill in deceiving batsmen with his pace makes him an effective bowler. The Wankhede Stadium could be an ideal platform for him to showcase his abilities.
These are the five players that MI can target in the IPL 2024 auction, and try to rebuild their squad. However, they will have to be smart and strategic, as they will face tough competition from other franchises. MI have a reputation of being a champion team, and they will not settle for anything less.
