The Mumbai Indians franchise have won 5 IPL titles in the last 8 years. They are the most successful team. Their success has been largely down to their talent spotting. MI have unearthed exceptional gems over the years. They pick players nice and young, help them transform into world-class players. These players have been instrumental in MI’s winning run in the last couple of years. The best part about MI’s talent buys is that they never break the bank for a player. MI remains the only team to have never crossed the INR 10 crore barrier for any player.
StumpsandBails brings to you the 3 most expensive buys made by MI in IPL auctions:
#3 Nathan Coulter-Nile (INR 8 crores)
Nathan Coulter-Nile is a handy lower-order all-rounder. He can definitely strike some big blows at the death with the bat. Coulter-Nile is a wicket-taking option too. The MI management went all out to acquire the service of Coulter-Nile in IPL 2020 auctions. They splurged INR 8 crores to get him in the auctions. He played a decent part in MI’s title-winning campaign in 2020. Coulter-Nile interestingly was released ahead of IPL 2021 auctions. But MI managed to fetch him at a lower price of INR 5 crores in IPL 2021 auctions.
#2 Krunal Pandya (INR 8.8 crores)
Krunal Pandya became the most expensive uncapped Indian player in IPL 2018. He was retained by the Mumbai Indians through the Right-To-Match (RTM) card in IPL 2018. MI bagged Krunal Pandya for a whopping INR 8.8 crores in 2018. The MI franchise retained faith in the senior Pandya. They had earlier purchased him for INR 2 crores in 2016 auctions. Krunal Pandya won the player of the match award in the 2017 finals. MI knew his worth back then and backed him to the hilt.
#1 Rohit Sharma (INR 9 crores)
The Mumbai Indians until 2010 weren’t one of the stronger teams. They lacked match-winning instincts. MI often failed to seize the big moments in the game. They desperately needed someone who could turn the tide. MI had set their eyes on one player. They wanted to acquire him no matter what in IPL 2011 auctions. Rohit Sharma was that player.
MI knew he could be the catalyst who could change their fortunes. Rohit Sharma certainly did that and much more. He was appointed MI’s captain mid-way in IPL 2013. Sharma led MI to an inaugural IPL title in 2013 itself. He has gone on to win 4 more IPL titles for the franchise. MI purchased Sharma for INR 9 crores in IPL 2011 auctions. There can’t be a better return on investment than this for a player.
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