The powerhouse that is Mumbai Indians were by far the best side in IPL 2020. Fittingly they lifted their 5th IPL title and continued their dominance in the biggest T20 league in the world. MI has a perfect combination of youth and experience which has always been their mantra of success in the IPL.
On top of that, you add the brilliant leadership skills of Rohit Sharma and MI majority of the time look an unbeatable unit. However, MI has a very big squad that might be tinkered slightly with the prospect of IPL mega auction looming ahead of the next IPL season.
In this feature, we try and find out who can be those 5 players that MI decide to release in case of a mega auction. A side like MI always strives to be better than their previous season and they will be thinking about areas where they still want to improve and add some depth going ahead.
Here are 5 players Mumbai Indians can release ahead of IPL 2021
5. Dhawal Kulkarni
MI consists of a pace battery which can even intimidate a strong international side. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah and now Trent Boult automatic choices in the playing XI and other Indian fast bowlers rarely get a chance.
Dhawal Kulkarni is one such bowler that warmed the bench of MI and only featured in one match in IPL 2020. The franchise may lose Kulkarni if the mega auction takes place as they already have a very strong fast bowling attack.
The fast bowler just got a consolation game when MI had already cemented their place in Top 2 for the playoffs. It is practically certain that going ahead Kulkarni will not be in the plans of MI and they will release him in the big auction.
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4. Anmolpreet Singh
The 22-year-old Anmolpreet Singh is a very talented batsman who is part of the Mumbai Indians. However, the youngster is also slightly unlikely that he is part of such a formidable side that has an abundance of batting options. The batsman from Punjab didn’t even get a single match to showcase his skills as the franchise opted to play with their strongest XI.
It seems that MI will indeed release Anmolpreet in the mega IPL auction. This may be a blessing in disguise for Anmolpreet as another franchise may invest in him and he might get a regular chance to play in IPL.
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3. Sherfane Rutherford
The young all-rounder from West Indies Rutherford was recently in the news for wearing the blue and gold gloves of MI in the ongoing PSL 2020. Meanwhile in IPL this year Rutherford was part of MI but wasn’t picked in even a single match.
Finding a place in the MI playing XI can be extremely difficult especially when you are an upcoming young player. The likes of Pollard, Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya were always part of the middle order and Rutherford stayed out in the complete season. MI will release Rutherford if the mega auction takes place and other sides might rope him in as he is a very talented all-round cricketer.
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2. Mitchell McClenaghan
Over the years the fast bowler from New Zealand has been a terrific performer for MI in IPL. Even in the presence of Bumrah and Malinga in the squad McClenaghan cemented his place and became a permanent fixture of the MI squad.
However now it seems MI is looking beyond McClenaghan and he is not in their plans. The 34-year-old just got one match to play in the entire IPL season this year as the franchise picked Pattinson, Boult and Coulter-Nile ahead of him.
There’s no denying that McClenaghan has been outstanding in the IPL but his best playing days are surely behind him. MI will be looking to pick a young fast bowler that can play for them for a long period hence McClenaghan will surely be released.
Also Read: IPL 2020: Top 5 Finds Of The Season
1 Saurabh Tiwary
It there is one player in which MI showed trust and faith this year was Saurabh Tiwary. Earlier in the season, he was preferred ahead of Ishan Kishan and then he played again after Rohit Sharma suffered an injury.
In 7 matches in IPL 2020, Tiwary could only make 103 runs at an average of 20 and strike rate of 128. It was a mediocre season for Tiwary with the bat and this might be his last season with MI. Plus his fitness too came under the scanner and he looked overweight and clumsy while fielding and running between the wickets.
MI will be keen on spending in a young batsman in place of Tiwary in case the mega auction is conducted. The 30-year-old will have to work on his fitness and power-hitting if he wants to continue being part of an IPL team in future.
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