Former cricketer Aakash Chopra recently spoke on the importance of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 auction for the Mumbai Indians (MI). The five-time IPL champions returned with a wooden spoon in the last edition of the cash-rich league, finishing 10th in the points table.
Mumbai released 13 players, including veteran Kieron Pollard, ahead of the mini-auction. They traded in Jason Behrendoff and acquired eight more players at the auction in Kochi on Friday.
Aakash Chopra stressed that the auction was very important for Mumbai Indians as they need to revamp some of their squad. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said:
“This was an extremely important auction for the Mumbai Indians because they are not used to being where they were last year. They take the penthouse, how will they stay in the basement? But the Mumbai Indians were No. 10, at the bottom.”
Aakash Chopra further added that the return of injured Jofra Archer will strengthen Mumbai’s bowling attack, which already has Jasprit Bumrah.
“So it was important for them to make the auction count. Jofra Archer and Jasprit Bumrah will be available, so in any case, the team will start looking slightly better. Their total squad strength is 24. They have filled the entire eight overseas slots,” Chopra continued.
Mumbai Indians bought England pacer Jofra Archer for INR 8 crore at the IPL 2022 auction despite knowing that the England pacer would not be available that season. However, they will want a fit Archer when IPL 2023 starts next year.
“Indian fast bowling quality is not there” – Aakash Chopra on Mumbai Indians’ pace composition
Aakash Chopra stressed Cameron Green and Jhye Richardson were significant buys for the Mumbai Indians at the auction. They roped in Green for a whopping INR 17.5 crore, they managed to acquire Richardson’s service for a mere INR 1.5 crore.
“They made two huge purchases – Cameron Green and after that they had less money left, so Jhye Richardson. But Jhye Richardson, in my opinion, is a steal if you are watching the BBL (Big Bash League), which I watch,” he continued.
Speaking of Mumbai’s pace attack for IPL 2023, Aakash Chopra said:
“You will want to play two overseas fast bowlers because the Indian fast bowling quality is not there. So I am thinking one of Jhye Richardson or Jason Behrendoff, Jofra one hundred percent, and then Cameron Green and Tim David. Tristan Stubbs and Dewald Brevis can take a backseat.”
