IPL 2018: 5 star players who are unlikely to be retained by Mumbai Indians

Having won the tournament a record three times, Mumbai Indians are one of the most decorated teams in the Indian Premier League. One of their hallmarks has been their decision to maintain the same core group of players who have performed consistently over the years.

However, they are likely to face a problem of plenty while deciding whom to retain for the next season. According to the rules laid down by the IPL Governing council, each franchise can retain a maximum of five players. The split is as follows - three capped Indian players, two overseas players and two uncapped Indian players.

As a consequence, they will have to let go of some old faces before next year's season. Here are five players who are unlikely to be retained by Mumbai Indians for the 2018 IPL edition.

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#5 Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga is the most successful bowler in the history of the IPL. He has taken a record 154 wickets from 110 matches. The Sri Lankan maestro has played a pivotal role in all of Mumbai Indians' triumphs over the years.

However, age seems to have caught up with him as he is no longer the bowler he used to be. The veteran was completely off-colour during the 2017 IPL campaign as he could only pick up 11 wickets from 12 matches while also leaking runs at 8.84 runs per over.

With a dependable death bowler such as Jasprit Bumrah in their ranks, it is extremely likely that Mumbai Indians and Lasith Malinga will part ways after a long and fruitful partnership.

#4 Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu has been a consistent performer for Mumbai Indians

Over the past seven years, Ambati Rayudu has been a consistent performer for Mumbai Indians. He was retained by the franchise in each of the previous seasons. He scored more than 300 runs in five of the last seven seasons and maintained a high degree of consistency.

However, the right-hander had an ordinary 2017 campaign as he could only manage 91 runs in the entire tournament. Other players such as Krunal Pandya and Nitish Rana have leapfrogged him to take his place in the middle order. Rayudu is thus unlikely to be retained by the franchise for the next season.

#3 Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh has been a long-serving player for Mumbai Indians

Harbhajan Singh has been part of the Mumbai Indians squad since the beginning of the IPL. He even captained the side in the absence of Sachin Tendulkar and led the team to the 2011 Champions League T20 title. He is the third highest wicket taker in the history of IPL and also has a phenomenal economy rate of under seven.

Although he had a decent showing in the last IPL, the off-spinner is unlikely to be retained by the franchise in spite of the emotional connect that the fans might have with him. All the franchises are allowed to retain only three Indian capped players. For Mumbai Indians, those three are likely to be Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah. It might be time to part ways after a 10 year-long association.

#2 Lendl Simmons

Lendl Simmons is one of the prominent overseas names in Mumbai's lineup

Lendl Simmons was brought in for the 2014 season of the IPL and he made an immediate impact. Promoted up the order to open the batting, the Trinidadian scored in excess of 350 runs in that particular edition at a staggering average of 56.28 including a century. He was also instrumental in guiding Mumbai Indians to the 2015 IPL trophy.

However, Simmons struggled for runs in the 2016 season. The 2017 season was no better either. With Jos Butler replacing him at the top of the order, his place in the team has become quite uncertain. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that he will be retained for the upcoming season.

#1 Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel has been a constant presence at the top of the order for Mumbai Indians

Parthiv Patel has enjoyed three fruitful years with the Mumbai Indians since his arrival in 2015. He was a part of the title-winning squad in the same year and has provided stability at the top of the order. While his partners have changed, he has remained constant for Mumbai Indians as an opener for the past three years.

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Although he has performed consistently over the course of the last few seasons, Parthiv may not make the cut as only three capped Indian players are allowed to be retained. As a consequence, it is highly likely that he will go back into the auction pool.