MI ( Source : IPL )
Five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have done a terrific job in being able to retain their top five Indian talents. In the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024), plenty of controversies brewed after Rohit Sharma was removed as captain and that resulted in the performances of the players as well. Mumbai finished at the bottom of the table last season, and that in a way infuriated the team management as head coach Mark Boucher has been replaced with Mahela Jayawardene.
Mumbai Indians retained Jasprit Bumrah for INR 18 crore, Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav for INR 16.35 crore, Rohit Sharma for INR 16.30 crore and Tilak Verma for INR 8 crore. That move resulted in them releasing some of their biggest stars from the last three seasons – players that they have worked hard on and can attract bidding wars between other franchises in the upcoming IPL auction in Jeddah.
Who are these released Mumbai Indians players? Let’s find out:
3. Akash Madhwal
Rohit Sharma and Akash Madhwal. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)
Uncapped India pacer Akash Madhwal could have been one of the uncapped retentions of Mumbai Indians. He was in the reckoning alongside Nehal Wadhera but the franchise decided to retain only five and keep a Right To Match card to use in the auction. Now, Madhwal was brilliant in IPL 2023, picking up 14 wickets in eight matches at an economy rate of 8.58.
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In 2024, he got only limited opportunities and picked up only five wickets in same number of games. Despite that, Madhwal would be in demand. More so, because Indian pacers are always in demand. The likes of Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are closing in on retirement and the franchises would be eager to bring in young pacers and Madhwal could be one in demand from the uncapped category.
2. Tim David
Tim David. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)
A finisher is always in demand in the auction. Kolkata Knight Riders have retained Andre Russell, Chennai Super Kings have Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni, Lucknow Super Giants have Nicholas Pooran and the other teams will be eager to find a quality finisher and Tim David can be on top of the list. He has played 38 games in the cash-rich league, scoring 659 runs at a strike rate of 170.28.
He can be played as a floater as well and the Australia international surely be in demand as multiple franchises will be looking for a hard-hitting finisher like him. David has the experience of doing it time and again, which will attract multiple bids and Mumbai can make it interesting by using the RTM card on him.
1. Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan. (Source -IPL/BCCI)
Ishan Kishan can end up being the costliest Indian player in the IPL mega-auction. Top-order aggressive batter, southpaw and wicket-keeper – three ideal things that many franchises will be looking for in the auction. Notably, the 26-year-old was bought for INR 15.25 crore in the 2022 mega-auction and it would be surprising if he doesn’t fetch the same amount if not more.
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He has played 105 matches in the IPL so far, scoring 2644 runs at a strike rate of 135.86. He is a dependable top-order batter and since many teams are looking for an opener and preferably a southpaw, he will be in demand. Rishabh Pant offers similar things and both cricketers will be in high demand in the mega-auction. Like David, MI can use their RTM on Kishan as well, who has done a commendable job for them in the last seven seasons.