IPL 2018 Auction: Decoding Mumbai Indians' buys on day one and pointers for day two
Having retained the high-profile trio of skipper Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, Mumbai Indians entered the 2018 IPL auction with only two Right to Match (RTM) cards available at their disposal. During the first of the two days, they used up both cards.
After securing Pollard's services, Mumbai went on to retain all-rounder Krunal Pandya for a mammoth price of INR 8.8 crore. The think tank also splurged big money on the likes of Mustafizur Rahman and Pat Cummins.
Must Read: Relive Mumbai Indians' day out in the 2018 IPL Auction
Shunning the trio of Lasith Malinga, Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell McClenaghan, the defending champions decided to completely revamp their pace attack. Their ploy to veer away from the tried and tested names of the triumphant 2017 season was one of the biggest talking points from the opening day's auction.
Pollard and pace headline Mumbai's day out
Flamboyant opener Shikhar Dhawan was the first name in the 2018 IPL auction. After making a rather late bid, Mumbai Indians opted against pursuing the left-hander. When Pollard was up for grabs, they made their intentions quite clear.
Upon engaging in a fierce bidding war with Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai appeared to be dropping out of the race at INR 4 crores. Interestingly, Delhi Daredevils jumped into the fray from nowhere. The Caribbean stalwart looked like heading to a new home until Mumbai utilised a RTM card to continue their longstanding association with him.
At a steep cost of INR 5.4 crores, Pollard's reputation might just have clouded the franchise's judgment. But one also has to consider certain other aspects such as brand value and the talisman's exploits over the years with Mumbai Indians.
Mumbai desperately wanted to rope in local lad Ajinkya Rahane. However, Rajasthan Royals employed the RTM option to buy the technically compact right-hander. After unsuccessful attempts at purchasing the likes of Dwayne Bravo and KL Rahul, Mumbai set their sights on David Miller. Alas, Kings XI denied them by using a RTM card.
Kings XI Punjab's surprisingly aggressive approach in the auction caught them off guard as a few more evaded the powerhouse. Mumbai Indians began their pursuit for a proven wicket-keeper batsman. They could have had Robin Uthappa for INR 6.4 crores but Kolkata Knight Riders unfurled the RTM card this time around.
Their strategy surrounding the wicket-keeper slot bordered on the bizarre as a lackluster demeanour meant that Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler slipped from them. As the focus shifted to pace bowling, Mumbai's team management injected young blood at the expense of senior stars.
While their decision to eschew Malinga seem consistent with the Sri Lankan icon's dip in form and fitness, the lack of interest in Johnson and McClenaghan was startling. Interestingly, all three pacers went unsold.
Instead, Mumbai bought Mustafizur for a bargain price of INR 2.2 crores. Factoring the Bangladeshi youngster's assortment of variations into account, this was a smart signing. Cummins soon joined the fray for a rather steep price of INR 5.4 crores. The duo could form an exotic seam combination in the 2018 season.
Having acquired the services of three overseas stars, Mumbai Indians began to turn towards uncapped Indian players. While Suryakumar Yadav was signed for INR 3.2 crores, the think tank narrowly missed Nitish Rana. The left-hander, who had a breakthrough IPL season last year, went to the Knight Riders.
Having set their sights on Krunal Pandya even before the auction began, they waited patiently for the other franchises to finish clamouring for the exciting talent. There was visible delight on the faces of the owners as they wielded the RTM card to retain the Player of the Match from the 2017 IPL final.
Following a keenly contested tussle with Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai held firm to snaffle Ishan Kishan for INR 6.2 crores. In doing so, they finally solved the wicket-keeper conundrum.
Players bought on day one
Kieron Pollard - INR 5.4 crores (RTM)
Mustafizur Rahman - INR 2.2 crores
Pat Cummins - INR 5.4 crores
Suryakumar Yadav - INR 3.2 crores
Krunal Pandya - INR 8.8 crores (RTM)
Ishan Kishan - INR 6.2 crores
Also in the squad
Rohit Sharma
Jasprit Bumrah
Hardik Pandya
Pointers for day two
Perhaps, Evin Lewis or Eoin Morgan could be among the ideal picks in order to strengthen Mumbai Indians' batting department. While Pollard, Cummins and Mustafizur are likely to feature in the playing eleven for the vast majority of matches, there is room for a couple of international batting stars to push for selection.
If the team management want captain Rohit to open the innings with new signing Ishan Kishan, then a back-up opening option can also be on the agenda for tomorrow. In such regard, a pugnacious option like Niroshan Dickwella may pay rich dividends. At a base price of INR 50 lakhs, the Sri Lankan cricketer can offer depth in the wicket-keeping department as well.
On a pertinent note, Mumbai's bowling attack is stacked with pacers. With Krunal Pandya being the only spin option in the squad thus far, the team management will be eager to shore up an important department of the game.
Uncapped Indian spinners such as Iqbal Abdullah and Shahbaz Nadeem among others should enter the fray. The franchise has spent INR 64.2 crores from the first day and can spend a further INR 15.8 crores tomorrow.