IPL 2024 Auctions | 5 Players Mumbai Indians Will Target In Mini Auction

image-lphyyzbwGerald Coetzee could be one of MI's primary targets [AP]

On Sunday, the IPL franchises submitted their final retention list, releasing several players before the much-awaited mini-auction. While several teams retained their core groups, some sides took bold calls by releasing a few impactful players from their squad. 

Talking about Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions made a clinical move by trading Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans through an all-cash deal. They also traded Cameron Green to Royal Challengers Bangalore, increasing their purse amount significantly in this process. 

Thus, Mumbai Indians have eight slots (including four overseas) and INR 17.75 Crores in their purse. So, let's see who their targeted players could be in the IPL 2024 auction. 


5 Players MI Could Target In Mini Auction

Mumbai Indians have formed a formidable first-choice top six, comprising Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya and Tim David. While Vishnu Vinod, Dewald Brevis and Nehal Wadhera are their backup batters, Romario Shepherd and Arjun Tendulkar are two bowling all-rounders in the MI squad. 

So, we reckon they will primarily target overseas fast bowlers besides a few multi-dimensional players. Here are the top five players MI will go after in the mini-auction. 


Gerald Coetzee

Mumbai Indians already have a potent new-ball bowling pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Jason Behrendorff. So, they might look to buy a high-budget hit-the-deck bowler, who can play the third seamer's role to perfection. Young South African speedster Gerald Coetzee could be an outstanding pick for this job, as he has been excellent in white-ball cricket for quite a while now. 

In the recently concluded World Cup, Coetzee grabbed the limelight through some stellar bowling performances. His ability to deceive the batters with his pace makes him a tricky customer with the ball and Wankhede Stadium could just be the perfect venue for him to showcase his skills. 


Alzarri Joseph

image-lphz0sqwAlzarri Joseph has represented MI in the past [X.com]

Hailed for his ability to hit the deck hard, Alzarri Joseph has represented Mumbai Indians in the past. In fact, he even recorded a sensational six-fer in his very first game for the franchise. 

He has evolved as a fast bowler and operates at a scorching pace besides getting sideways movement. So, Mumbai Indians could look at him as their overseas seamer, as he won't likely be a really high-budget pick in the auction. 


Kartik Tyagi

In another move, Mumbai Indians might look to pick a low-budget alternative for Romario Shepherd, like Daniel Sams or Dwaine Pretorius, spending a substantial amount for talented Indian pacer Kartik Tyagi. 

After being released by Rajasthan Royals, Tyagi was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad only to warm the bench for the most part of the season. So, if MI get him, their Indian pace battery will be upgraded to a whole new level. 


Wanindu Hasaranga

image-lphz26xdWanindu Hasaranga in action [X.com]

In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, young seamer Akash Madhwal stepped up to the occasion last season, emerging as the go-to man for Mumbai Indians in the slog overs. So, if MI decide to back Madhwal as their frontline pacer alongside Bumrah and Behrendorff, they might buy Wanindu Hasaranga as their primary spin option. 

Piyush Chawla definitely scalped 22 wickets in IPL 2023, but his economy rate of 8.11 let MI down in the tournament. So, if they get Hasaranga, MI will have a better T20I spinner who can also contribute handy runs down the order. If they do so, they might go for a low-budget overseas seam bowling option like Adam Milne or Spencer Johnson. 


Lockie Ferguson

Experienced New Zealand seamer Lockie Ferguson could also fulfil MI's quest of having a quality overseas pacer in their squad. The Kiwi paceman bowls at a rapid pace and is known for his ability to nail yorkers in death overs. So, if MI manage to secure Ferguson's services, the speedster could be a perfect fiddle to Jasprit Bumrah in slog overs.