Mumbai Indians released some key players in the player retention and release event and they might play it safe in the IPL 2021 auction.
Mumbai Indians are the five-time champions of the Indian Premier League. When the side won the title in IPL 2020, it reaffirmed the fact that Rohit Sharma's side is the greatest team when it comes to the Indian Premier League. When the player retention and release list was being released recently, it was expected that Mumbai Indians would play it safe and not release many players. Instead, the five-time champions not only retained the core of the side but they had some interesting releases. Lasith Malinga, who has been with the Mumbai Indians franchise ever since the inception of the IPL in 2008, was released after having missed IPL 2020 to be with his ailing father. With no Lasith Malinga, this was one major surprise that Mumbai Indians pulled out of the bag.
In addition to Lasith Malinga, the Australian pace duo of Nathan Coulter-Nile and James Pattinson were also released. James Pattinson was included as a substitute for Lasith Malinga and he bowled decently for the side. When Nathan Coulter-Nile was declared fit, he stepped in admirably fill the breach when James Pattinson was expensive. With the release of these three major players, Mumbai Indians now will be aiming for some smart buys in the IPL 2021 auction as they look to enhance their already strong unit into a formidable one. With IPL 2021 being played in India, Mumbai Indians would be determined to capitalise on their Wankhede fortress and register an unprecedented hat-trick of titles.
Mumbai Indians squad, released players and updated purse
Players released (7): Lasith Malinga, James Pattinson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Sherfane Rutherford, Mitchell McClenaghan, Prince Balwant Rai Singh, Digvijay Deshmukh
Updated purse: Rs 15.35 crore
Updated Squad: Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Anmolpreet Singh, Aditya Tare, Krunal Pandya, Jayant Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Dhawal Kulkarni, Rahul Chahar, Anukul Roy, Saurabh Tiwary, Mohsin Khan, Quinton de Kock, Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult, Chris Lynn.
Overseas slot left: 4
IPL Auction strategy
Mumbai Indians will be looking to bolster their overseas bench and also have a back-up for Rahul Chahar, their spinner. Apart from Krunal Pandya, Jayant Yadav and Rahul Chahar, Mumbai Indians lack a proper spinner and if they want to pack their line-up, they could do well to include leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane. The Nepal legspinner has had great success in the Big Bash League in Australia and his prowess in the middle overs could get Mumbai Indians interested.
There are rumours that for a back-up to Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah, Mumbai Indians might be looking to get Mitchell Starc in the line-up. Starc has not played in the IPL for a couple of years and with the left-arm pacer undergoing a lean patch, it looks a far-fetched proposition but not impossible that Mumbai Indians might get the Australian in the ranks. There are reports that Umesh Yadav might get the go-ahead in the Mumbai Indians camp after being released by Royal Challengers Bangalore but his poor IPL 2020 and fitness issues might deter them.
On many fronts, Mumbai Indians are sorted when it comes to batting and bowling. Perhaps, they may not go full tilt in the auction and might prefer to make only one or two buys in the auction.
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