An in-depth preview of Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the IPL 2024 auction including their strengths, weaknesses, purse remaining, players to target and more.
Mumbai Indians are a largely settled squad and one of the most consistent sides in the history of the tournament. They finished fourth on the points table in the 2023 IPL and defeated Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator. The Rohit Sharma-led side have won the title five times previously, in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020.
Mumbai Indians IPL 2024 auction preview: Trades, full squad, purse & slots remaining
Trades
Mumbai Indians made headlines by trading Romario Shepherd from Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the 2024 season, and later acquiring Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Giants in a cash exchange. Cameron Green also joined the Royal Challengers from Michigan, where he transferred to Bangalore.
Players released
Arshad Khan, Ramandeep Singh, Hrithik Shokeen, Raghav Goyal, Jofra Archer, Tristan Stubbs, Duane Jansen, Jay Richardson, Riley Meredith, Chris Jordan, Sandeep Warrier.
Squad before auction
Rohit Sharma (c), Dewald Brevis, Surakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, N. Tilak Varma, Tim David, Vishnu Vinod, Arjun Tendulkar, Shams Mulani, Nehal Wadhera, Jasprit Bumrah, Kumar Kartikeya, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal, Jason Behrendorff, Romario Shepherd (LSG), Hardik Pandya (GT)
Purse remaining (in INR)
17.75 crore
Slots remaining
8 (4 overseas)
Mumbai Indians IPL 2024 auction preview: Strengths
Strong middle order
With Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Nehal Wadera, Tim David and Hardik, Mumbai Indians have the most formidable middle-order batting line-up. While Yadav is probably the best T20 batsman in the world at the moment, Varma and Wadera also offer a lot of talent, with the former also making his Indian debut after IPL 2023. Mumbai’s middle leagues are full of Indian talent, so they can strengthen their bowling with foreign players.
A shrewd skipper in Rohit
Rohit was a phenomenal IPL skipper and won all five titles. He has used his resources well so far and is one of the few skippers who has managed to combine data and knowledge of the game with instinct.
Mumbai Indians IPL 2024 auction preview: Weaknesses
The spin department is thin
Piyush Chawla stood out for the team last year with 22 sculls, but was inconsistent in the previous tournaments and took 16 wickets in three seasons. MI also lacks any other experienced spinners, making him one of the few teams without a reliable spin unit.
Need pacers to back up Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is probably the best white-ball bowler at the moment, but MI need an experienced overseas ready-to-play force on their side. Jason Behrendorff is the only quickie on the team, but his day could be expensive. Without a reliable bowler alongside Bumrah, the batsman will have to outplay the Indian pacers and play against other players, reducing his effectiveness.
Mumbai Indians IPL 2024 auction preview: Potential first XI
Rohit Sharma、Ishan Kishan、Surakumar Yadav、Tilak Varma、Nehal Wadhera、Hardik Pandya、Tim David、Piyush Chawla、Akash Madhwal、Jasprit Bumrah、Jason Behrendorff
Mumbai Indians IPL 2024 auction preview: Players to target
Spinner: Mumbai Indians would ideally want a spinner, who is currently signed on a trade with an international team, to strengthen their bowling attack, and also as a batsman. There is a need to target Mujeeb-ur-Rahman who is also skilled. order. Wanindu Hasaranga would also be a good option, especially if there is a spot open for a foreign all-rounder in the team.
Overseas quicks: With the batting line-up relying heavily on Indians, Mumbai can afford to include two overseas quicks in the eleven. This is a luxury that other teams rarely have. They could be looking for Mitchell Starc or Josh Hazlewood and would also be interested in Gerard Coetzee, who could be a good replacement.
