IPL Auction Strategy for MI, 5 Players Mumbai Indians can Target

The most successful franchise in the IPL history, Mumbai Indians surely know how to build a team or two when it comes to IPL auctions. This being a mini-auction, Mumbai Indians do not have many spots to fill in IPL 2021 Auction. But there are few areas where Mumbai think tank will have their eyes set come the 18^th. They have released most of their overseas fast-bowlers before the auction. That surely means that they have something big in plans in pace bowling stocks. Apart from that, they would be looking to add some back-ups to Rahul Chahar this year. Let’s take a look at their possible targets in the upcoming shopping extravaganza.

Jhye Richardson

A promising fast-bowler from Australia – Jhye Richardson has struggled with injuries in his short career. But once fit, he can be as good as going around in the world cricket in his age group. After his BBL heroics this year, he has been called into Australian T20I side for the tour of New Zealand. He was the highest wicket-taker in the BBL season this year with 29 scalps for Perth Scorchers. After releasing James Pattinson, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Mitchell McClenaghan, Mumbai Indians are in search of couple of high-quality pace options. It is almost confirmed that they will go hard for this Western Australian.

Riley Meredith

Although Mumbai Indians need few overseas fast-bowlers but they are slightly limited this time around with their remaining purse of INR 15. 35 Cr. But they are arguably smartest franchise going around with a proper scouting system in place. So, if they don’t get their hands on big names, they would still be having some ‘hidden gems’ up their sleeves. One of those names is Riley Meredith. This fiery right arm fast-bowler from Tasmania has clearly been raising eyebrows down under with his brisk pace. He has been in and around the national setup for last six months or so. In the recent BBL season, he took 16 wickets playing for Hobart Hurricanes.

Read: Team-wise IPL 2021 Auction Strategies

Kyle Jamieson

There are some of the high-quality International all-rounders on offer at this year’s auction, biggest of them all is Chris Morris. But looking at MI’s remaining budget, one can assume that Chris Morris might go out of their range. Kyle Jamieson is one player who can be called closest to Chris Morris. This Kiwi bowler has taken giant strides in his International career in last couple of years. Apart from 4 quality overs with the ball, he can also contribute handy runs down the order in T20 cricket. He does generate extra bounce off the surface with his height and could come in useful on the Wankhede pitch in IPL 2021. He has 54 scalps from 38 matches in T20 cricket at an average of 20.59 with an economy rate of 7.98 RPO.

Shivam Dube

When Shivam Dube made his name for the first time in competitive cricket, it was during Mumbai T20 league. Being a local Mumbai boy, he knows conditions pretty well. After being released by Royal Challengers Bangalore, he will be back in the auction this year. He can be a perfect foil to Pandya brothers in Mumbai Indians setup. He can use the long handle very well and can be useful with his medium pace bowling. After missing out on him a couple of years back, Mumbai might go all out to bag the services of this all-rounder. Playing at Wankhede might just bring out the best from Shivam Dube , after all.   

Read: 5 Players that CSK can Target

Khrievitso Kense

Talking about scouting system of Mumbai Indians, they are known for producing talents from nowhere literally. There are reports about this Nagaland spinner being in center of Mumbai’s plans for this year’s IPL Auction 2021. This 16-year-old leg-spinner has only played four matches till now but impressed everyone during recently concluded SMAT season. He has already been to trials of Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals before the auction. This young boy fits perfectly into Mumbai’s scheme of things as a back-up to Rahul Chahar and also brings certain degree of ‘mystery factor’ for the oppositions to work out. Either way, Khrievitso Kense has a life-changing day in prospect on 18th February.

Read: 5 Players that RCB can Target