IPL 2019: 3 Bowlers that MI should target at the auction

Mumbai Indians (MI) failed to qualify for IPL 2018's playoffs despite being the Champions the previous edition. While their bowling unit did well in the competition with 2 of its bowlers in the Top-10 wicket-takers list, it was their inconsistency in batting that was said to be the major cause of their defeats.

MI has traded in Quinton de Kock to bolster their batting, especially at the top, while at the end of last season, Suryakumar Yadav, Evin Lewis, and Ishan Kishan improved their performances to provide MI with the needed stability. With Ben Cutting, Kieron Pollard, and the Pandya brothers in the lower middle order, the finishing wouldn't be a problem, the only issue that persists is the position of Rohit Sharma, MI's captain in the batting order, which would have been taken care by the MI coaching staff after last season's debacle.

In the recent retained and released list, Mumbai Indians have released 3 frontline fast bowling options, Pat Cummins, Mustafizur Rahman, and Pradeep Sangwan and are in need of a fast bowler who could serve as a good partner for Jasprit Bumrah, both in the powerplay as well as in the death overs.

Since the 2019 World Cup, in all likelihood, would take place just after IPL 2019, Mumbai Indians would look to manage the workload of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, in the larger interest of the nation's prospects at the World Cup. Hence MI's major focus in the auctions would be on genuine fast-bowling options, as possible replacements or partners for Bumrah and Hardik.

So here are some options,

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#3 Ben Laughlin

Ben Laughlin turned out for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2018.

The 36-year old from Victoria wouldn't be an ideal buy at the auction if age is used as the prime criterion. But for a semi-auction (not a full auction which would most likely take place in 2021 or 2022), Ben Laughlin would be the man to-go-to if one needs an experienced, economical, bowling spearhead.

A death-overs specialist with successful exploits in the Big Bash League (BBL) and the New Zealand Super Smash League, Ben's T20 career stats of 157 wickets in 121 innings at an economy of 7.89 speak for themselves.

At the age of 36, he is still fit as a fiddle which can be seen from the fact that he was the joint second highest wicket-taker in BBL 2017-18 with 16 wickets from 12 innings.

Ben can be used as a stop-gap for a year or two so that Mumbai Indians can at least manage the workload of Bumrah in the upcoming season and then based on Ben's performance decide his future at MI.

#2 Jaydev Unadkat

Jaydev Unadkat

If Mumbai Indians decide to rest Jasprit Bumrah, they need an experienced Indian fast-bowler to replace him so as to not disturb the domestic-overseas ratio of the team, and Jaydev Unadkat would fit the bill perfectly.

Unadkat was the 2nd highest wicket-taker in IPL 2017, behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with 24 wickets in 12 innings at an economy of 7.02 and an astounding average of 13.41. But in IPL 2018, he succumbed under the pressure of the 'costliest Indian player at the auctions' tag and could manage just 11 wickets off 15 matches in his stint with the Rajasthan Royals.

Since IPL 2018, he has recovered his form and was in the Top-10 wicket-takers list in the Vijay Hazare trophy with 16 wickets in 8 matches at an economy of 4.27.

With the right mentoring and management under Shane Bond and Lasith Malinga at the Mumbai Indians, he could become a lethal limited overs bowler.

#1 Chris Woakes

Chris Woakes (R) had a sub-par outing with the RCB in IPL 2018.

Chris is the perfect choice for the Mumbai Indians to bolster their pace attack. A former Knight Rider, Chris had an exceptional IPL 2017 where he was KKR's highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets in 13 matches at an economy of 8.77.

Although his economy is on the expensive side, his knack for taking wickets at the top of the innings as well in the death would provide MI with the versatility that they has been seeking since Tim Southee's departure to the RCB.

Chris's IPL 2018 outing wasn't as good with RCB as he was given limited opportunities to perform, where he could manage 8 wickets off his 5 matches.

A handy batsman down the order with a strike rate of 136.10 and a best of 57* in T20s, he could be used in the starting XI as a bowling-allrounder, replacing the likes of Ben Cutting/Kieron Pollard or solely as a bowler depending on the needs and requirements of the side.