IPL 2019: 3 youngsters who could be game-changers for Mumbai Indians

While many expected the Mumbai Indians to go all the way last season, the fact that they failed to qualify for the playoffs became one of the major talking points of the 2018 IPL. In spite of having a star-studded squad, they finished fifth on the points table with 12 points in 14 matches.

Having acquired the services of players like Quinton de Kock, Yuvraj Singh and Lasith Malinga in this year's auction, they look more formidable on paper this season. Rohit Sharma's men will begin their IPL 2019 campaign against the Delhi Capitals in front of their roaring fans at the Wankhede Stadium on March 24.

Let us now look at three young players who will be key to Mumbai's success this season.

Notable mention: Anmolpreet Singh

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1) Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan rose to prominence after guiding the Indian colts to a runners-up finish at the 2016 ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh. Kishan's boys lost to a spirited West Indies side by five wickets in a thrilling finale at Dhaka.

The 20-year-old who holds the record for the highest individual score by a Jharkhand player in Ranji Trophy (273 runs), and made his IPL debut during the 2016 season for the now-defunct Gujarat Lions after being bought for INR 35 lakh during the auction. In the two seasons he played for the Rajkot-based franchise led by Suresh Raina, Kishan managed 319 runs.

Upon Gujarat Lions' termination from the IPL, he moved to Mumbai Indians for a whopping INR 6.2 crore during the 2018 auction. The southpaw was a part of the Mumbai Indians XI for all the 14 league matches during season 11 and was their first choice wicket-keeper.

Kishan, who took nine catches apart from effecting two stumpings during the 2018 IPL, had a mediocre stint with the bat. He amassed 275 runs at a strike-rate of 149.45 including two half-centuries (highest score being 62).

Nevertheless, his big-hitting abilities and potential to play against the top players of world cricket make this youngster a key member in the Mumbai Indians' line-up. The talented wicket-keeper batsman will be aiming to make it big both with the willow as well as behind the stumps this season.

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2) Mayank Markande

Mayank Markande

For Mayank Markande, the dream run began with Ambati Rayudu's wicket at the Wankhede Stadium during the 2018 IPL season opener against the Chennai Super Kings. Two overs later, he took the prized wicket of CSK skipper MS Dhoni, before finishing his debut IPL game with the figures of 3/23 in four overs.

The Punjab leg-spinner scalped 15 wickets in 14 matches throughout the 2018 IPL for Rohit Sharma's men, and was one of the permanent fixtures in their XI.

Markande was hailed as one of the bargain buys of the 11th edition of the IPL due to his impressive exploits with the ball. The 21-year-old continued his incredible run for Punjab in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy as he finished the tournament as his side's highest wicket-taker, with 29 scalps in six matches.

Markande achieved his dream of representing India at the highest level as he made his T20I debut against Australia at Visakhapatnam last month. Watch out for this young leggie at the 2019 IPL as well.

3) Rahul Chahar

Rahul Chahar

The 19-year-old leg-spinner who plays for Rajasthan in the domestic circuit was a part of the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant squad during the 2017 IPL after being bought for INR 20 lakh. In the three matches he played for Steven Smith's men, Rahul Chahar took two wickets.

During the 2018 auction, he was bought by the Mumbai Indians for INR 1.9 crore. Unfortunately, the talented youngster warmed the bench throughout the season and did not get an opportunity to don the blue jersey.

Chahar comes into the 2019 IPL in red-hot form, having taken 41 wickets in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy apart from emerging as the highest wicket-taker for his side at the 2018-19 Vijay Hazare Trophy. Usually known to unearth and promote talented young guns, Mumbai is sure to provide more playing time for the Rajasthan leggie this season.

Chahar is undoubtedly one of the teenage talents to watch out for this season.