Mumbai Indians (MI) have won 5 IPL titles. They have the best squad in place that has been in supreme form in the past couple of seasons. MI since 2011 has been scientific in their approach of developing their squad. They have built their team around a core group of players. MI will be looking to add a few key ex-MI players to their setup during the mega auction scheduled for next year. Here are Ex-MI Players MI Might Target in 2022 Mega Auctions.
StumpsandBails looks at 5 Ex-MI players the franchise might target in 2022 mega auctions:
#5 Kuldeep Yadav
Not many will be aware of the fact that Kuldeep Yadav’s first IPL team was Mumbai Indians. The left-arm chinaman was part of the MI setup in 2012 and 2013. But he didn’t get a game back then. Yadav’s meteoric rise started once he shifted to KKR. It seems highly unlikely that KKR might retain Yadav. Hence this gives MI a golden opportunity to reinstate Yadav into the setup and shore up their spin department.
#4 Shreyas Gopal
Shreyas Gopal’s career took an upswing swing once he joined Rajasthan Royals. He had a breakthrough IPL season in 2018. Gopal was part of MI from 2014-17. But owing to healthy competition in the ranks he hardly got an opportunity to prove himself. MI will be keen to get experienced Gopal back into the squad in the next mega auctions.
#3 Nitish Rana
Nitish Rana was an integral part of MI’s squad in 2016-17. He played a key role in MI winning the championship in 2017. MI released Rana ahead of 2018 and got in Suryakumar Yadav into the mix. Rana might again feature in MI’s plans in 2022 with Ishan Kishan’s form being a concern.
#2 Nicholas Pooran
MI had acquired Nicholas Pooran in 2017. Pooran wasn’t a force back then as he is now. But Pooran’s stocks have considerably increased over the last couple of seasons. Punjab Kings might not retain Pooran and this gives a chance for MI to beef up their already powerful middle-order with the inclusion of Pooran.
#1 Glenn Maxwell
RCB have found a new overseas hero in Glenn Maxwell apart from AB de Villiers. But the big question with RCB is that whether they will retain Maxwell ahead of the auctions considering his high price. If RCB lets go of Maxwell then there are high chances that MI might target him in the mega auctions. Maxwell can prove to be an ideal replacement for an ageing Kieron Pollard. If MI don’t retain Pollard, Maxwell will be a like-to-like replacement. Even if not then look at the prospect of both Pollard and Maxwell batting together. WOW!
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