Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players MI can target for IPL 2021 | Which players will Mumbai Indians purchase in the IPL 2021 Auction?
Mumbai Indians (MI) are so settled that most of the players they purchase in the auction go on to be backup/reserve players. In their successful Title defence in 2020, MI used the least number of players, with their consistency and continuity a key factor to their triumph.
This season, however, MI could look at a number of pace bowling options after releasing a few seamers. As a result, the seamers they purchase could go on to play a number of matches throughout the tournament. This, in addition to batting cover, could form a crucial part of their Auction strategy, as they have seven slots to fill out of their squad of 25.
Here are five players MI could target in the upcoming auction.
Also read: This article is part of CricBlog’s IPL series. Check out 5 players other IPL teams could buy in 2021:
- Chennai Super Kings
- Royal Challengers Bangalore
- Delhi Capitals
- Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Rajasthan Royals
- Kings XI Punjab
- Kolkata Knight Riders
5. Arjun Tendulkar
How great would it be for a Tendulkar to join the Mumbai Indians? 21-year old Arjun, son of the great Sachin, has been in outstanding form for the MIG Cricket Club. Just a week before the auction, Tendulkar slammed a 31-ball 77, which included five sixes in an over, and also took three wickets in a massive 194-run win for his team.
Given the strength of MI, the youngster will have to bide his time to get any chance to play for the first XI. However, the chance to be in the squad and learn from some of the greatest T20 players in history is a great opportunity for both Tendulkar and the Mumbai Indians.
4. Shivam Dube
A key asset of MI is the strength of their all-rounder department. However, should Hardik, Krunal or Kieron Pollard be unavailable, Shivam Dube is a player who could be a handy backup option. This allows MI to play four overseas players in other key positions if one of their Indian all-rounders is ruled out.
Dube, who has represented India 13 times in T20Is, can send the ball a long way. Also, he can chip in with handy overs, which will allow Rohit Sharma to rotate his bowlers. Joining such a high-performing environment and culture could bring the best out of Dube.
3. Krishnappa Gowtham
Mumbai Indians could look at bolstering their spin stocks for IPL 2021, and Krishnappa Gowtham would be a handy option. In 2018, Gowtham produced decent performances, with 11 dismissals in 15 matches at an economy rate of 7.80. He had also scored 126 runs at a strike rate of 196.87.
Unlike the 2020 edition of IPL, the 2021 version will be played on more spinning tracks, i.e. Chennai. So, a backup off-spinner who can bat can be a very handy pickup for the defending champions.
2. Jhye Richardson
Mumbai Indians released Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Pattinson and Mitchell McClenaghan, and will be without Lasith Malinga. So, they will look to bulk up their pace stocks to partner the superb duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.
One bowler they can look at is the impressive Jhye Richardson, who is coming off a good BBL 10 campaign. The Aussie speedster finished with the most wickets (29) at a fine strike rate (12.7) and economy rate (7.69) given he bowled overs in the powerplay and death periods.
1. Chris Morris
Given Chris Morris’ injury history, any franchise would be taking a risk going after him. However, with the depth MI have, Morris could make them even stronger, given his ability to bowl in the death overs. He and Jasprit Bumrah in the final overs is a tantalising prospect for Rohit Sharma and his men, as it could prove very difficult for the opposition to finish strongly.
Morris was quite impressive for RCB in 2020, especially in the first few matches of his campaign. Overall, he took 11 wickets in nine games at an economy rate of 6.63, which is a fantastic record given he bowled many of his overs in the crunch stages.
Also read: This article is part of CricBlog’s IPL series. Check out 5 players other IPL teams could buy in 2021:
- Chennai Super Kings
- Royal Challengers Bangalore
- Delhi Capitals
- Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Rajasthan Royals
- Kings XI Punjab
- Kolkata Knight Riders
