2018 IPL auction: 5 players Mumbai Indians should not retain

Last week, the IPL governing council (GC) announced the retention policies and the revised salary caps ahead of the 2018 IPL auction.

As per the governing council's decision, a franchisee can retain five players using one of the two combinations - three pre-auction retentions and two RTMs or two pre-auction retentions and three RTMs. Either way, a franchise can retain or use RTM for a maximum of three players in the auction. Moreover, if a franchise doesn't retain even a single player before the auction, they still can't use more than three RTMs.

The most successful IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians, always wanted to retain their core that was a part of all their three title triumphs. In all likelihood, the franchisee will retain five players out of Rohit Sharma, pacer Jasprit Bumrah, the Pandya brothers, Jos Buttler and Kieron Pollard.

At the same time, their think-tank will have some names who they won't retain. Let us take a look at five high-profile players the defending champions should not retain ahead of 2018 IPL.

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Vinay Kumar

Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma is the only player to have won four IPL titles but there are a few players who have won three IPL titles. The likes of Yusuf Pathan, Lasith Malinga, Ambati Rayudu, Harbhajan Singh etc. are a part of the elite list. One name that features in the list is Vinay Kumar.

Vinay Kumar was a part of the successful Kolkata Knight Riders team in 2014, Mumbai Indians in 2015 and 2017. The Karnataka pacer has been a prolific bowler in the Indian domestic circuit but for some reason, he hasn't been able to replicate the success in the international circuit.

Being a part of Mumbai in 2017, Vinay played just one match for them, their inconsequential league game against Kolkata Knight Riders. He was overlooked for the remaining games and with age not on his side and the presence of better domestic T20 pacers, it will be surprising if he is retained or brought back by the franchise ahead of the 2018 IPL.

Ambati Rayudu

The Mumbai Indians franchisee is known for having some flamboyant names at their disposal. Among that flamboyance, they had their umbrella man, Ambati Rayudu, who rescued the team on several occasions.

Raydu played a crucial role in the team's success in their first two IPL victories and in the third victory, he hardly played before the playoffs as he lost his place to Nitish Rana after suffering an injury early in the season.

When he replaced the Delhi youngster in the playing XI in the playoffs, he hardly made a contribution to the team. Though he was very consistent in the few domestic matches he played this season. In spite of that, Mumbai should not retain him as they have better names at the top of their priority list.

They can afford to let Rayudu move to the auction pool and get him back in the IPL auction rather than letting go of someone like Rohit Sharma or Jasprit Sharma or the Pandya brothers.

Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson has been a part of two victorious Mumbai Indians side in the past and played a huge role in both the triumphs.The former Aussie pacer last played a competitive match in May 2017 when he bowled the last over and sealed Mumbai Indians' third IPL title.

Since then, the left-arm quick has been off the field but is set to take the field for Perth Scorchers later this month when the Big Bash League gets underway. Since the end of 2017 IPL, Johnson was away from the sport for approximately six months before he started preparing himself for the BBL.

After the BBl gets over, he will again get a couple of months' break before the IPL gets underway. Retaining or buying back a player who plays competitive matches for just five months in a calendar year is not a wise decision and Mumbai Indians should not look to have him in the squad in 2018.

Lasith Malinga

There were times when fast bowler Lasith Malinga terrorized the batsmen with his deadly yorkers. But, the Sri Lankan international is unable to do that of late and has lost his rhythm. Barring the final, Malinga hardly contributed to the team's cause last season and the franchisee should not take the gamble of retaining him ahead of 2018 IPL.

It won't be a surprise if Malinga, who has been with the Mumbai franchisee since 2008 IPL, goes unsold in the 2018 IPL auction. Over the last couple of years, the slinger has been finding it difficult to replicate his success from the past and has been leaking a lot of runs.

With Malinga approaching 35 and Jasprit Bumrah breathing fire, there are better options available for Rohit Sharma and co. in the auction even if they let the Lankan go ahead of next season.

Harbhajan Singh

Out-of-favour Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh is one of the two players (other one being Virat Kohli) to have played for the same franchisee over the last ten years. Harbhajan has been a vital part of Mumbai Indians ever since he was acquired by Mukesh Ambani's team in the 2008 auction and has even led the team to victory in Champions League T20.

But, it is highly unlikely that the franchisee would retain him ahead of 2018 IPL as they have better options available and Harbhajan hardly played competitive cricket (played just two Ranji Trophy matches after being dropped from the Mumbai Indians XI) since the end of IPL 2017.

Adding to this, the 2011 World Cup winner is already 37 and it is certain that he will play for one season or maximum two if his body permits. It will be wise on the part of the team management to invest a retention on a young player instead of Harbhajan.