Did Mumbai Indians overdo in retention?

Rohit Sharma (Source: iplt20.com)

The retention lists for IPL 2023 of all the teams are out and ahead of the mini-auction the participating teams will be looking to restrategise and revamp their squads before the next season. 

IPL 2023 will be a redemption journey for the most successful team in the history of the league, Mumbai Indians. To everyone's surprise Rohit Sharma's men had a torrid time in the tournament last year and they finished at the bottom of the table. 

The fact that the team management felt there was something amiss with the team composition is clear from their step of leaving 13 of their players. 

Let us take a look at the players released by Mumbai, their purse left and then try and find out what their strategy could be in the auctions. 

Released players: Kieron Pollard, Riley Meredith, Daniel Sams, Tymal Mills, Fabien Allen, Basil Thampi, Jaydev Unadkat, Anmolpreet Singh, Mayank Markande, Rahul Buddhi, Aryan Juyal, Murugan Ashwin and Sanjay Yadav.

Purse Remaining: 20.55 Crores

Overseas Slots Remaining: 3

Slots to be filled for the team

The biggest release from the team has been- Kieron Pollard. Pollard has been the designated finisher for the team for the last 13 years. Not only that he has played the role of a floater and came up the order to rescue his team on numerous occasions. 

Mumbai will surely look to pick up a power hitter who can also come in handy with a few overs of his bowling. 

Let us take a deeper look at the Mumbai Indians after the release.

Batters

Rohit Sharma (INR 16 Cr) , Suryakuamr Yadav (INR 8 Cr), Dewald Brevis (INR 3 Cr), Tilak Varma (INR 1.7 Cr), Tristan Stubbs (INR 20 Lakhs), Ishan Kishan (INR 15.25 Cr) (wk). 

Average Price: INR 7.35 CR

All Rounders

Tim David (INR 8.25 Cr), Mohammad Arshad Khan (INR 20 Lakh), Ramandeep Singh (INR 20 Lakh), Arjun Tendulkar (INR 30 Lakh). 

Average Price: INR 2.23 Cr

Bowlers

Jasprit Bumrah (INR 12 Cr), Jofra Archer (INR 8 Cr), Kumar Kartikeya (INR 20 Lakh), Akash Madhwal (INR 20 Lakh), Jason Behrendorff (INR 75 Lakhs). 

Average Price: INR 4.23 Cr

Target Areas in the auction

Mumbai Indians have spend more money on each batter than any other section. But, in the upcoming mini-auction, they will have to look to change their strategy.

Mumbai Indians can target Cameron Green in the mini-auction (Source: Twitter)

The team management will have to try and keep most of their purse intact for a player like Cameron Green, who is a powerful hitter of the cricket ball and can also be handy with his medium pace bowling. 

Also, the bowling attack for the team looks a bit dimensional and over dependent on names like Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer. With injury concerns revolving around these two players, Mumbai Indians will have to be ready with proper back ups. 

Much like, the last year, they are missing out on a quality and dependable spinner who can do the job for them in the middle overs. 

Hence as it stands the prime target players for Mumbai Indians in the mini-auctions will be-

• 1 Seam bowling, power hitting all-rounder
• 2 back up pacers (preferably one Overseas and one Indian)
• At least a couple of spinners. 

Also Read: IPL 2023: Who can Mumbai Indians release before the auction