IPL 2023: 3 MI players to watch out for in upcoming season

Mumbai Indians (MI) failed to perform upto the expectations in the last year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) edition. With four wins in 14 games, the team ended at the bottom of the previous year’s IPL points table. Learning from their mistakes in the last season, the franchise will look to gain form in the 2023 edition. With the addition of some quality players at the mini auction, MI are looking dangerous for the upcoming season.

Suryakumar Yadav, one of the most experienced players of the team, has done excellent in the international circuit in the last one year. In January 2023, he became the ‘ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year’ for his remarkable batting numbers in 2022. Continuing his last year’s form, the 32-year-old has shown his excellence with the bat in 2023 as well. This year, the MI veteran has notched up 267 runs for India in six T20Is at a phenomenal strike rate of 152.57.

Witnessing these exceptional batting figures of their stalwart in international matches, his franchise will expect him to turn up against the opponents in the marquee event. Along with him, the most successful IPL team will also rely on the services of some other players who have showcased their skills in recent games.

Here are three players who could deliver desired results for MI in the forthcoming tournament:

3. Hrithik Shokeen

Hrithik Shokeen (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

This year, Hrithik Shokeen will strive to become an important member in the MI squad. Utilising his brilliant off-spin bowling skills, he could do wonders for MI in the upcoming competition. In the last edition of the tournament, he struggled to be among the wickets. Playing five matches for his franchise, the 22-year-old picked up only two wickets at an expensive economy of 8.47. 

This time, MI might use him again to reinforce their spin attack. On the turning track of Wankhede, he might deliver effective bowling numbers to his team. In the 2022-23 domestic season, he looked dangerous for his state team Delhi. In the 2022-23 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), he bagged four wickets in three games at a fine economy of 6.75.

The youngster also carried his form in the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy as well. Scalping 13 wickets in seven innings of five games, he became the joint third-leading wicket-taker for his team. Considering his recent bowling display, MI will look forward to getting impactful numbers from him.

2. Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

In the previous IPL edition, Tilak Varma showcased his potential with his magnificent batting show. Hitting 397 runs in 14 games at a decent strike rate of 131.02, Verma became the second-highest run-getter for MI. This time, he will be crucial for MI to provide strength to the batting line-up.  

Along with huge names such as Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav and Tim David, Tilak will also be an influential figure in the MI batting line-up. In the 2022-23 domestic season, he played some match-winning knocks for Hyderabad.

Scoring 297 runs in seven contests of the 2022-23 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) at a strike rate of 136.23, he became the highest run-scorer for his side. In the competition, he also smashed four fifties. After SMAT, he looked impressive in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well. Racking up 402 runs with a couple of tons and a half-century in seven games, he ended up becoming the second-highest run-getter for his team in the competition.

1. Cameron Green

Cameron Green. (Photo Source: Twitter)

In this IPL edition, eyes will be on Australia’s allrounder Cameron Green, who got sold to MI for a whopping sum of INR 17.5 crore. After receiving this hefty amount, he ended up becoming the second-most expensive player in the history of the IPL auctions. Following his swashbuckling batting displays in the 2022-23 India vs Australia T20I series, MI acquired his at such a huge price.

Amassing 118 runs at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 214.54 against the Men in Blue, Green grabbed a lot of eyeballs. On the turning tracks of India, he exuded confidence against spinners relying on his hard-hitting capability. Recently, he also performed well for his national side in the 2022-23 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In two games of the significant Test series, he racked up 135 runs with a century in the last Test held in Ahmedabad. Noting his massive batting numbers in India, it could be said that the Aussie could power MI with his fearless playing style. 

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