5 players Mumbai Indians might target in upcoming Mini Auction

On Sunday, IPL franchises finalized their retention lists, parting ways with several players ahead of the highly anticipated mini-auction. While some teams opted to keep their core groups intact, others made bold decisions by releasing impactful players from their rosters. As the cricketing world gears up for the IPL 2024 auction, excitement and anticipation are soaring. Set to take place on December 19 in Dubai, this auction promises to be a captivating event where franchises will fiercely compete to acquire dynamic talents and strengthen their squads.

Advertisment

 Turning attention to the Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions executed a strategic move by trading Hardik Pandya to Gujarat Titans in an all-cash deal. Additionally, they traded Cameron Green to Royal Challengers Bangalore, significantly bolstering their available funds. As a result, the Mumbai Indians now possess eight slots (including four overseas) and INR 17.75 Crores in their purse. Let's explore the potential players they might target in the IPL 2024 auction. Let us look at top five player who will be on the list of Mumbai Indians in the upcoming auctions:

1.     Pat Cummins

Advertisment

Australian captain Pat Cummins has garnered international acclaim for his victorious leadership and impressive cricketing performances in the ODI World Cup 2023. His dual proficiency with both bat and ball has made him a standout player, attracting interest from franchises globally. If he enters the IPL 2024 auction, Cummins is likely to be a highly sought-after player, with numerous teams eager to secure his services to enhance the strength and balance of their squads.

In his IPL career so far, the Australian skipper has participated in 42 matches, securing 45 wickets at an average of 30.16. He has conceded approximately 8.54 runs per over, achieving a personal best figure of 4/34. During the IPL Auction 2022, the Kolkata franchise successfully acquired Pat Cummins for a sum of Rs 7.25 Crore.

2.     Travis Head

Advertisment

Travis Head emerged as the standout performer in the 2023 World Cup triumph, experiencing a notable boost in his market value after a remarkable 137-run contribution against India in the final. With numerous franchises on the lookout for dynamic opening batter, his outstanding display is poised to heighten the competition during the bidding process, fueled by a surge in demand.

As a key figure in Australian cricket, Head has consistently delivered outstanding performances across various formats, often playing a pivotal role in securing victories. His exceptional showing in the final is sure to attract significant attention and admiration.

3.     Shardul Thakur

Renowned for his right-arm medium-fast bowling, Shardul Thakur has proven to be a valuable asset for his teams, showcasing the ability to generate pace and delivering both wickets and economical bowling spells in the IPL. Following his transfer from Delhi Capitals to Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous edition, Shardul was released by KKR on Sunday.

Given his knack for taking wickets at any phase of the game, he is poised to be among the top picks in the upcoming auction. However, the franchise may scrutinize his recent form as a factor to consider.

4.     Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc is widely acclaimed as one of the premier pacers on the global cricket scene, is anticipated to be a highly sought-after player in the IPL 2024 auction. With his potential to cause havoc through his pace and swing, the Australia stalwart is likely to be at the center of intense bidding wars as franchises seek to bolster their bowling arsenals with a formidable weapon.

Adding to the allure, his presence on the wish list is heightened by the fact that certain franchises boast the largest available purse. Despite a somewhat subdued performance in the 2023 World Cup by his own standards, Starc's reputation and the coveted left-arm seamer attribute make him a coveted asset that aligns with the preferences of modern-day teams.

5.     Gerald Coetzee

With Jasprit Bumrah and Jason Behrendorff forming a formidable new-ball bowling duo for the Mumbai Indians, the team might be in the market for a high-budget hit-the-deck bowler to seamlessly fill the role of the third seamer. A promising candidate for this position could be the young South African speedster Gerald Coetzee, who has consistently excelled in white-ball cricket.

 In the recently concluded World Cup, Coetzee garnered attention for his impressive bowling displays. His knack for deceiving batsmen with pace makes him a challenging adversary, and the Wankhede Stadium could serve as the ideal stage for him to showcase his skills.