3 Associate Nation Players That MI Might Look To Buy In IPL 2025 Mega-Auction

Rohit Sharm and Cameron Green playing for the Mumbai Indians [X]

The latest edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) saw the Kolkata Knight Riders win the title for a third time. After the completion of the season, the franchises are gearing up for the upcoming 2025 edition. There will be a mega-auction taking place ahead of the season and all the teams will be looking to fill all their required positions before they go into the tournament. 

During the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024, there were some brilliant performances by players of some of the associate nations. The franchises might have taken note of a few of these players and will be going after them during the auction. There will be some expected changes in the dynamics of the teams during the event. 

The Mumbai Indians have been one of the most successful teams in the history of the tournament. However, IPL 2024 went below their general performance levels. The management will be looking to reform their team ahead of the next season. Here are three associate nation players that the Mumbai Indians might look to buy in the auction in an attempt to achieve a perfect balance ahead of the season. 

3. Logan van Beek (The Netherlands)

Logan van Beek playing for the Netherlands (X)

Logan van Beek represents the Netherlands in international cricket. Van Beek is an effective all-rounder and has been an integral part of the team after delivering some top-notch performances with both the bat and the ball. 

The Dutch all-rounder has made it to the news many times for his efficient bowling spells and lower-order batting exploits under pressure. 

Where does he fit in the MI team?

The Mumbai Indians have had an affinity towards all-rounders who can score at a fair clip in the lower-middle order and also contribute effectively with the ball. Van Beek has a strike rate of 124.30 in T20s with two half-centuries. These numbers show that he is a more than handy batter and has the ability to take the pressure on when the team needs it. 

With the ball, van Beek has picked up 167 wickets in 162 T20 matches, with an economy of 8.45. Notably, he bowls mostly in the later phases of an innings. This ability of his will allow MI to have more dynamism and flexibility in their bowling attack.

2. Ruben Trumpelmann (Namibia)

Ruben Trumpelmann playing for Namibia (X)

During the T20 World Cup 2024, Ruben Trumplemann looked like a dangerous customer with the new ball. He troubled the batters with a bit of movement he got and the skiddy nature of his deliveries. The Namibian left-arm pacer finished the tournament with seven wickets in four matches while having an economy of 8.91. In one of the games, Trumplemann destroyed the batting line-up of Oman single-handedly. 

Where does he fit in the MI team?

From the likes of Zaheer Khan, Mitchell Johnson, and Mitchell McClenaghan to Arjun Tendulkar and Kwena Maphaka in recent times, MI have always shown their preference for left-arm seamers. Ruben Trumplemann might be a perfect addition that least. 

Besides, during the IPL 2024, we saw MI struggling with their opening bowler slot. They tried various options but nothing effectively worked out for them. Ruben Trumplemann has given testament to his new ball skills in the T20 World Cup 2024. Including him in the squad will add depth to their bowling attack as they will have a competent bowler to share the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah. 

1.Saurabh Netravalkar (The USA)

Saurabh Netravalkar playing for the US (X)

The US left-arm pacer has made it to the headlines since the T20 World Cup 2024. Saurabh Netravalkar impressed everyone with his skills at all the stages of a game. He showed equal dexterity and expertise in the powerplays and the death-overs of the matches. Although he finished the tournament with six wickets from six matches, Netravalkar's economy of 6.63 is proof of his excellence.

Where does he fit in the MI team?

Well, for starters Saurabh Netravalkar has played his junior cricket in Mumbai. He is well acquainted with Wankhede's strip and can be even more effective there. 

Besides knowing the playing conditions well, Netravalkar's ability to bowl efficient spells at all stages of a match will make him a valuable part of the team's strategy. Along with Jasprit Bumrah, Netravalkar could turn out to be that bowler for the captain whom he can turn in any situation in the match. 

All these analysis are made considering the players make themselves available for the IPL 2025 mega-auction.