3 RCB Players That MI Should Target In IPL 2025 Mega Auction

Cameron Green was traded to RCB by MI ahead of IPL 2024 [X]Cameron Green was traded to RCB by MI ahead of IPL 2024 [X]

The Kolkata Knight Riders won their third IPL title in the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League. Powered by some tactical brilliance by the management, the Shreyas Iyer-led side showed brilliant execution to end a 10-year trophy drought. 

KKR has settled into a format with a core that is currently working for them. Like them, some other teams have a settled core and strategy to make things work in the tournament. However, irrespective of their current status, all the teams will have to rebuild their core and re-strategize ahead of the next season. This is because there is a mega auction scheduled ahead of IPL 2025, before which the franchises need to release the majority of their players and then reform the squad during the auction.

Here are three RCB players who, if released by them, should be the prime targets of the Mumbai Indians. 

Cameron Green

Why will RCB release Green?

The four most probable RCB retentions ahead of IPL 2025 are Virat Kohli, Will Jacks/Glenn Maxwell, Mohammad Siraj/Yash Dayal, and Rajat Patidar. This is if the franchises are allowed four retentions. Besides these, they can also RTM two players during the auction. Looking at the players currently in the RCB squad, RCB might look to release Cameron Green and re-buy or use the RTM on his during the auction. 

Why should MI buy Green?

  • Cameron Green was already a part of the MI team before he was traded to RCB ahead of IPL 2024. He knows the dressing room culture, how the franchise works and what his role could be in the team. Therefore, picking him up in the auction could be one of the most clever moves by MI, as they can then try to form a core around the Australian all-rounder. 
  • In the last couple of years, we have seen that MI has struggled to find a player who can be dynamic in the middle order and score a couple of overs with the ball. Even though Hardik Pandya is back with them, the veteran all-rounder has struggled to fit into the role. Green can be a perfect fit for this role. 

Mahipal Lomror

Mahipal Lomror [X]Mahipal Lomror [X]

Why will RCB release Mahipal Lomror?

During the IPL 2024, we saw Mahipal Lomror play a couple of good knocks for RCB under pressure. However, as the tournament progressed, his good performances became scarce, and in most cases, he failed to deliver despite having a promising start. With no trophies in 17 years, RCB will be desperate to form a squad that lifts their maiden IPL trophy. They will be looking to build a team that sustains for at least the next two or three seasons. With his performances not going big for the franchise, Mahipal Lomror might no longer be a part of the RCB plans. 

Why MI should buy Mahipal Lomror?

  • Mahipal Lomror is a dynamic batter who can attack the opposition from the beginning of his innings. His ability to comfortably move along the batting order makes him an excellent suit for MI’s scheme of things. Besides his batting prowess, Lomror can also be useful with the ball, allowing the team to work more flexibly. 
  • From 2013 to 2020, Mumbai Indians won five IPL titles. During this stage, one of their biggest strengths was the dynamism, flexibility, and depth that the trio of Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, and Kieron Pollard provided them. With the dispersion of these three players, Mumbai Indians have struggled to find the right combination in the middle order. Mahipal Lomror and Cameron Green can be great additions to the team, with Hardik Pandya back in the team. 
  • Mumbai Indians have an uncanny ability to groom young players and bring out their best. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Akash Madhwal, and many more are the perfect examples. Mahipal Lomror, who has shown a lot of promise but has yet to realise his potential, can be the next big thing in Indian cricket if he comes within the coaching system and guidance of the MI support staff. 

Manoj Bhandage

Manoj Bhandage [X]Manoj Bhandage [X]

Why will RCB release Manoj Bhandage?

Manoj Bhandage was picked up by the Bengaluru-based franchise ahead of the IPL 2023. He was part of the RCB set-up for a couple of years but never debuted for them. This shows that the management is not thinking about him in their plans, and hence, they will release Bhandage and might not go after him during the auction.

Why should MI buy Bhandage?

  • In the recently concluded Maharaja Trophy 2024, Manoj Bhandage was in excellent form. Coming lower down the batting order, he scored 292 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of 213.13 while maintaining an average of 41.71. He also delivered with the ball, picking up eight wickets in 12 games at an average of 25.25. This shows his abilities, and MI will look for someone like him for the auction. 
  • If all the buys mentioned in this article are realised, then Bhandage will be a priceless asset to MI. He could add flexibility to the team, allowing the management to select their playing XI ideally based on playing conditions and match demands. Bhandage and Lomror can also be their horses for courses, as they can use Bhandage in seaming conditions and Bhandage in spinning conditions. 

Strategic Importance

Mumbai Indians have dominated the league for about seven years. However, in the last few seasons, they have been off-colour. The management will be looking to bring back glory days. One of the biggest strengths of MI during their brightest days was their combination. They will be looking for a perfect combination that will allow them dynamism and flexibility during the upcoming seasons. Buying these players can help MI achieve a balanced combination and propel them towards another title win.