The final lists of retained players were released by all 10 existing franchises on November 26 ahead of the upcoming IPL 2024 player auction. Fans were waiting for it for a long time. It has created many confusions and excitement among the fans because there were many big names missing from the retention lists of teams. Therefore, the upcoming IPL 2024 Auction is going to be very important for all the ten teams. Team management will try to build their respective squads from scratch. Each franchise will look forward to acquire players as per their requirements and long term vision. In this article we will talk about Mumbai Indians and its approach towards the auction.
In IPL 2023, Mumbai Indians ended up on 4th spot on the points table. For IPL 2024, Mumbai Indians have decided to retain most of its players which included captain Rohit Sharma, lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah, middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan. They have also traded Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans.
Mumbai Indians retained and released players list
Retained Players: Akash Madhwal, Arjun Tendulkar, Cameron Green, Dewald Brevis, Ishan Kishan, Jason Behrendorff, Jasprit Bumrah, Kumar Kartikeya Singh, N. Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, Piyush Chawla, Rohit Sharma, Romario Shepherd (T), Shams Mulani, Surya Kumar Yadav, Tim David, Vishnu Vinod
Released Players: Chris Jordan, Duan Jansen, Hrithik Shokeen, Jhye Richardson, Jofra Archer, Mohd. Arshad Khan, Raghav Goyal, Ramandeep Singh, Roley Meredith, Sandeep Warrier, Tristan Stubbs
Let’s have a look at players that MI can target in the upcoming IPL 2024 auctions.
Mitchell Starc
It’s plausible that the Mumbai Indians might target Mitchell Starc in the IPL 2024 player auction. Starc is an accomplished left-arm fast bowler with a proven track record in T20 cricket. His ability to generate pace and swing, along with his experience in various T20 leagues, could make him an attractive option for the team.
Starc’s presence would bolster the Mumbai Indians’ pace attack by gearing up with Jasprit Bumrah. Additionally, his international experience makes him a valuable asset for any team.
Mumbai brought Jofra Archer in IPL 2022 Mega Auctions. Archer was not available for 2022 season. He player only five matches in 2023 and was ruled out due to injury. Archer was not a part of England World Cup 2023 squad and he is still in rehabilitation. Therefore, he was released by Mumbai Indians ahead of IPl 2024 Auction. From all this, one can assume that Mumbai will go after a lethal fast bowler who can team up with Jasprit Bumrah.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman
If Mumbai Indians are looking to bolster their spin bowling department in the IPL 2024 player auction, targeting Mujeeb Ur Rahman could be a strategic move. Rahman, an Afghan off-spin sensation, has shown his prowess in various T20 leagues around the world.
Mujeeb is known for his ability to bowl a variety of deliveries, including the off-spin, leg-spin, and carrom ball. His unpredictable style can add a valuable element of mystery to the Mumbai Indians’ spin attack.
Mumbai Indians squad lacks an overseas spinner and Mujeeb could fill up that space. Mujeeb has gained experience by participating in multiple T20 leagues globally, which could make him a seasoned campaigner in the IPL. Rahman has a reputation for being economical with the ball, which is a crucial aspect in T20 cricket. His ability to control the run rate in the middle overs could make him an asset for Mumbai Indians.
Pat Cummins
Kieron Pollard handled the responsibility of international all rounder for many years in Mumbai Indians. He announced his retirement from the IPL in 2022 but continue to be part of the franchise as a batting coach. Mumbai brought Cameron Green to fill in the void left by Pollard. However, the Australian star did not stand up to his expectations. MI traded him to Royal Challengers Bangalore. Therefore, Mumbai might look towards Pat Cummins as a replacement for Pollard.
Hardik Pandya has also returned to Mumbai after being traded of from Gujarat Titans but still there is a need for international all rounder. Pat Cummins is one of the premier fast bowlers in international cricket which makes him a valuable asset, especially in T20 cricket where fast bowlers who can take wickets are highly sought after. Cummins is not just a potent bowler; he can also contribute with the bat. His ability to score quick runs down the order adds depth to the batting lineup, a trait that Mumbai Indians often value in their players.
