IPL Auctions 2018: Mumbai Indians (MI) performance at the auctions
Having infused a glittering array of star players from India as well as abroad, Mumbai Indians (MI) are ready to defend their Indian Premier League (IPL) title in the 2018 season. The three-time champions decided to revamp their squad by making plenty of left-field choices in the two-day auction held in Bengaluru.
After retaining skipper Rohit Sharma, explosive all-rounder Hardik Pandya and dynamic fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, Mumbai Indians went into the auction with two Right to Match (RTM) cards and a total purse of INR 47 crores.
The team management have utilised the resources at their disposal to form a strong contingent for the upcoming IPL season. While all-rounders Kieron Pollard and Krunal Pandya were bought back via RTM cards, Mumbai also purchased 20 more cricketers from the auction.
Full list of players bought by Mumbai Indians
Krunal Pandya - INR 8.8 crores (RTM)
Ishan Kishan - INR 6.2 crores
Kieron Pollard - INR 5.4 crores (RTM)
Pat Cummins - INR 5.4 crores
Evin Lewis - INR 3.8 crores
Suryakumar Yadav - INR 3.2 crores
Mustafizur Rahman - INR 2.2 crores
Ben Cutting - INR 2.2 crores
Rahul Chahar - INR 1.9 crores
Pradeep Sangwan - INR 1.5 crores
Jason Behrendorff - INR 1.5 crores
JP Duminy - INR 1 crore
Saurabh Tiwary - INR 80 lakhs
Tajinder Singh - INR 55 lakhs
Akila Dananjaya - INR 50 lakhs
Aditya Tare - INR 20 lakhs
Siddhesh Lad - INR 20 lakhs
Mayank Markande - INR 20 lakhs
Sharad Lumba - INR 20 lakhs
Anukul Roy - INR 20 lakhs
Mohsin Khan - INR 20 lakhs
MD Nidheesh - INR 20 lakhs
Punting heavily on Ishan Kishan
Considering the importance of playing the best batsmen at the top of the order, head coach Mahela Jayawardene should prefer captain Rohit Sharma opening the innings. In Evin Lewis, they have a fine batting partner for the Indian star. At INR 3.8 crores, the belligerent Caribbean southpaw is a bargain buy. Factoring his impressive T20 credentials (2657 runs at a strike-rate of 146.06), he is Mumbai's best signing from the 2018 auction.
Mumbai Indians turned heads when they bid aggressively for the inexperienced Ishan Kishan during the opening day of the auction. After Kolkata Knight Riders denied them of acquiring Robin Uthappa by using the RTM option, they let the likes of Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson get away from their grasp.
Having used one of their RTM cards for Pollard and saving their next one for Krunal Pandya, Mumbai could not buy back Buttler. Instead, they splashed a whopping INR 6.2 crores for Ishan Kishan to solve their wicket-keeper conundrum. It remains to be seen if the 19-year old lives up to his price tag.
In Aditya Tare and Suryakumar Yadav, Mumbai Indians have a couple of local lads. While the two right-handers possess reasonable amounts of experience in the T20 circuit, they will need to lift their game to bolster the franchise's batting lineup.
JP Duminy, who returns to Mumbai after spending a few seasons with other teams, may not get as much game time as the there are plenty of overseas players vying for the four coveted slots. In such regard, Pollard will be eager to vindicate the team management's questionable RTM decision by putting in consistent performances in the forthcoming IPL season.
Pace attack gets a facelift
The decision to part ways with a veteran cricketer like Lasith Malinga would not have been an easy one for Mumbai Indians. Having also overlooked Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell McClenghan, they bet big on the pacy Pat Cummins. At INR 2.2 crores, Mustafizur Rahman appears to be quite a steal. However, the Bangladeshi seamer's style of bowling may not suit the traditionally quick Wankhede track.
At INR 1.5 crores, Australian speedster Jason Behrendorff comes across as a smart purchase. His tall frame as well as hit-the-deck type of bowling will help him generate extra bouncer from the myriad surfaces across India.
With Harbhajan Singh set to begin a new journey with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Krunal Pandya will lead Mumbai's spin attack. In the promising Anukul Roy, Mumbai have another left-arm option. Looking at his exploits in the ongoing edition of the U-19 World Cup, a price tag of INR 20 lakhs is a massive bargain.
Akila Dananjaya, who has troubled high-profile Indian batsmen with his assortment of variations, will add some Sri Lankan favour to Mumbai's spin arsenal. The mystery spinner's intelligent signing at INR 50 lakhs stands as testament to coach Jayawardene's profound knowledge of the modern game.
Full Squad for IPL 2018
Indian Players - Rohit Sharma (captain) (retained), Hardik Pandya (retained), Jasprit Bumrah (retained), Krunal Pandya (RTM), Rahul Chahar, Mohsin Khan, Ishan Kishan, Siddhesh Lad, Sharad Lumba, Mayank Markande, MD Nidheesh, Anukul Roy, Pradeep Sangwan, Tajinder Singh, Aditya Tare, Saurabh Tiwary and Suryakumar Yadav
Overseas Players - Kieron Pollard (RTM) (West Indies), Evin Lewis (West Indies), Jason Behrendorff (Australia), Pat Cummins (Australia), Ben Cutting (Australia), Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh), JP Duminy (South Africa) and Akila Dananjaya (Sri Lanka)