IPL 2024: 5 players Mumbai Indians can target in mini-auction

Mumbai Indians (MI) is the joint-most successful side in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). They created the headlines on the retention day deadline. MI traded back star all-rounder Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans (GT), in an all-cash deal of 15 crore INR. Hardik was initially retained by GT but there were speculations of the all-rounder joining the five-time champions. They traded out Cameron Green to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for 17.5 crore INR to make the deal possible.

MI now has the best Indian lineup with all their bases covered. They still have 7 spots left in total with three overseas can be picked as the backup option. The Mumbai-based franchise still has a few areas to fill, and it will be interesting to see the players they buy in the IPL 2024 auction. 

The IPL auction is set to be held on December 19, in Dubai. This is the first instance that the auction will be held outside India. All the 10 franchises have released and retained the players. The trading window is still open and it will close on December 12 a week before the min-auction. In the article, we will be looking at the player who MI might pick in the auction. 

Here are the 5 players MI might target in the auction

5. Chetan Sakariya

Chetan Sakariya was released by the Delhi Capitals (DC) after failing to make an impact in the previous two IPL seasons. The 25-year-old has appeared in one ODI and two T20 Internationals for India and might be a potential fast-bowling backup for the franchise. The bowler has the potential and he will be looking forward to building on his solid IPL career. Sakariya has performed in domestic cricket consistently and will be eager in 2024. 

4. Kartik Tyagi

Kartik Tyagi might be a good backup for either Jasprit Bumrah or Akash Madhwal in the team. He's an excellent choice because he can hit the deck quickly. MI benefited from being a domestic speedster as well, as they had released a big number of pacers previous to the auction. He picked up 11 wickets during India’s run to the final of the U-19 World Cup 2020. The right-arm pacer impressed one and all with his ability to move the ball around at a good pace during the tournament. 

3. Gerald Coetzee 

Gerald Coetzee was the highest wicket-taker for South Africa in the ODI World Cup 2023 with 20 wickets to his name and has created an impact in international cricket. Coetzee will be one of the players whom the teams would target in the min-auction. Ahead of the auction, the MI has released numerous overseas pacers, including Jofra Archer, Riley Meredith, and Jhye Richardson. They need at least one quality overseas bowler, and Coetzee fits perfectly in the team as well. Mumbai needs an overseas pacer desperately and the Protea pacer can be an ideal choice. 

2. Josh Inglis 

Josh Inglis has impressed the world with his batting abilities in white-ball cricket. Inglis was part of the ODI World Cup 2023 winning squad for Australia. In 101 T20 matches, he has amassed 2591 runs with a strike rate of 149.94, including three hundred. He recently scored a hundred in the T20I series against India as well. The wicket-keeper batter would be a good option as the backup of Ishan Kishan who is the side's only regular keeper. 

1. Wanindu Hasaranga

Wanindu Hasaranga's release has been one of the most talked about so far. He was purchased for a large sum and was supposed to be a long-term investment. The Mumbai Indians can target him and sign him because he is a spinner who can also bat in the lower order. The 26-year-old is a world-class spinner who is ranked second in the T20I rankings. He has the potential to be the ideal spinner for MI, and his batting ability will be a huge asset.