5 Players Mumbai Indians could target in the IPL Auction

Coming into the IPL season 12 as the defending champions and as the most successful team in IPL history, Mumbai Indians failed to live up to the expectations. They ended up in the fifth position. They have won the IPL tournament a record three times, the joint-most with the Chennai Super Kings.

The three-time champions will be looking to make their own stamp on the IPL once again, and this IPL Auction can be the starting step. Like always, Mumbai Indians have retained their core, but they still have few slots left to fill. With the notable exclusion of players like Jean-Paul Duminy, Pat Cummins, and Mustafizur Rahman, Mumbai Indians have 10.65 crores still left in their purse to buy 7 players.

Players retained: Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Krunal Pandya, Ishan Kishan (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Mayank Markande, Rahul Chahar, Anukul Roy, Siddhesh Lad, Aditya Tare, Quinton de Kock, Evin Lewis, Kieron Pollard, Ben Cutting, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Jason Behrendorff.

Mumbai Indians are allowed to buy only one foreigner, and here are the list of possible players that CSK can target in 2019 auctions.

#5 Carlos Brathwaite

Carlos Brathwaite release from the SRH raised few eyebrows as one of the hottest all-rounders in the world cricket right now was released after a decent season. SRH's loss can be the gain for Mumbai Indians.

Brathwaite is more of an aggressive batsman who can take charge against any bowler. In addition to his batting, he is very effective with the ball and a great wicket-taker in the death overs.

In the 13 innings that he has played in IPL, He has scored 170 runs at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 168.32 and has also taken 13 wickets.

With Keiron Pollard not being in the best of forms, the blue team can be looking at his Caribbean teammate to be his back up.

#4 Mohammed Shami

The arrival of Quinton De Kock and the presence of overseas players like Evin Lewis, Kieron Pollard, and Ben Cutting has made it unlikely for a foreign fast bowler to make it into the final playing XI. This situation means that Mumbai Indians will need the service an Indian quick to partner Bumrah.

Shami can be the guy that Mumbai Indians will target in this auction to fill this void. Shami was released by the team from Delhi after a season that was hindered due to injuries.

With the ICC World Cup to begin shortly after IPL season 12, the demand for Indian players has risen up due to their long-term availability. This scenario can be helpful for guys like Shami to prove themselves once again in the bigger stage.

With just 1 crore as his base, Shami will surely attract lots of bidders, but it will not be surprising to see Mumbai Indians target him.

#3 Axar Patel

Ever since the start of the IPL, there has been some bond between the Mumbai Indians team, and the all-rounders. MI has sported and produced some great all-rounders like Kieron Pollard, Hardik, and Krunal Pandya, Dwayne Bravo. Axar Patel will be the latest addition to this long list if he joins his former team.

Axar was the only player to be retained by the Kings XI Punjab ahead of the mega-auction earlier this year, but due to injuries, and the inclusion of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Ravichandran Ashwin, Patel's spot in the team came under the radar.

In the 68 matches that he has represented the Punjab based franchise, Axar has taken 61 wickets at an economy rate below 8, and also bats at a strike rate above 125.

Knowing Mumbai Indians history, and the demand for quality Indian all-rounders, Axar can easily be the biggest buy in this year's auction. The question is that does Mumbai have the purse to buy someone like Axar Patel.

#2 Sarfaraz Khan

The youngster set the world on fire in 2016 when he smashed 19 runs in an over against the mighty Bhuvneshwar Kumar. However, injuries prevented Sarfaraz Khan from playing the season 10 of the IPL.

Ahead of the mega-auction this year, Sarfaraz was retained by the Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the likes of KL Rahul, and Chahal. This retention shows the faith that men in red had on this youngster. But sadly, Sarfaraz failed to live to the team's expectations and was released from the team.

A homecoming can be the revival of Sarfaraz's career. Also, Mumbai Indians lack an Indian middle-order batsman, and the addition of Quinton De Kock demands an Indian batsman at the middle overs.

Despite his struggles, Sarfaraz remains a talented batsman capable of producing the x-factor to any team. His ability to play the unorthodox shots can throw away even the great bowlers.

#1 Jaydev Unadkat

Jaydev Unadkat was the finds of the IPL in season 10 after his brilliant season with the now-defunct team, Rising Pune Supergiants. These performances saw Unadkat becoming the most expensive Indian in the auctions last year as he bagged a whopping Rs 11.50 crore from Rajasthan Royals. However, the pressure of the price tag had an impact on his game.

After an abysmal season with Royals from Rajasthan, Jaydev Unadkat was released, and will now be entering the player auction at a base price of 1.5-crores.

Like most teams, Mumbai Indians will also be looking for Unadkat's service this season. With the releasing of Mustafizur Rahman and Pat Cummins, MI lack a fast bowler to support Jasprit Bumrah. Given his abilities to hit the deck hard and bowl consistently at the desired length, he might just be the perfect pick for Mumbai. He could be a real asset to the team in the long tournament.

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