Indian Premier League defending champions Mumbai Indians will have little to change in terms of their winning combination at the IPL 2020 player auction, scheduled for December 19 (Thursday) in Mumbai.
Precisely in eight days’ time, the eight Indian Premier League franchisees will meet in Kolkata to finalise their respective squads for the upcoming season. The process in-fact has started with the pre-auction trading window. Insidesport.co in run up to the player auction on Thursday next will bring to its readers a detailed account of each team with regard to the player purse and requirements.
Also Read: IPL 2020 Auction LIVE: When and where to watch live streaming
The most successful team of the Indian Premier League with 4 titles, Mumbai Indians and their team management will go into the auction with the only ₹13.05 crores at their disposal for a maximum of 7 slots to fill. Their top priority will be to pick Indian talent even as there are two slots available for overseas players.
Even before the auction, the Mumbai outfit have a good bunch of talent for their title defence. They would still be looking at the alternatives for each area and each department. Injuries remain a constant threat in the two-month long competition. Back up for each position thus becomes very important.
Here is a look at various departments of Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians and what will they be gunning for in Kolkata on December 19.
BATTING
The top-order of Mumbai Indians is as good as it can be. Hitman Rohit Sharma and African wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock will take charge at the top unless there will be any tactical change by the management. Mumbai’s domestic team captain Surya Kumar Yadav along with Jharkhand’s Ishan Kishan will have the responsibility of middle-order. Mahela Jayawardene and Co. will eye for a couple of good batsmen to finish along with reserves Aditya Tare and Anmolpreet Singh. They would be eager to use one of their two overseas slots to pick a batsman. It will further strengthen their batting along with increasing the competition among the players to perform consistently.
ALL-ROUNDERS
With the T20 evolving true to the pace of the format, the role of all-rounders has increased even more. Mumbai Indians have always dominated the all-rounders’ segment and with four quality all-rounders in the form Pandya brothers – Hardik and Krunal – Kieron Pollard and Sherfane Rutherford, Mumbai Indians are going to go long in the tournament. Picking up several other all-rounders will boost their squad even more and give them the depth they need. They might even use up their quota of two overseas players in this segment only. With options as good as Marcus Stoinis, Ben Cutting, Chris Morris, Sam Curran, Colin de Grandhomme and more, the management will be enticed in picking them up.
BOWLING
A good reliable bowling unit ensures that the team can defend any score put up by their batsman or can restrict other teams on a reasonable total for their batsmen to chase it down. Indians have a strong bowling unit led by Jasprit Bumrah and a living legend Lasith Malinga. Mitchell McCleneghan and recently traded in kiwi Trent Boult has strengthened the squad even further. As far as spinners are concerned they have covered all types with an off-spinner, a leg spinner and a left-arm orthodox in their squad. Only the Indian bowlers are their need of the hour to have them in case of injury strikes to any of their current bowlers.
Players to pick – 7 (2 overseas), Salary Cap Available – ₹13.05 crores.
It will be an intriguing battle in the auction on December 19 when Mumbai Indians management will face a challenge in the battle of bids with other franchisees to pick their choice of players.
Also Read: IPL 2020 Auction pool: No Indian in top ₹ 2 cr base price list
