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Three-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have kicked off their preparations for the next edition of IPL on a right note by making some tactical changes to their squad during the IPL player trading window. They have retained a total of 16 players and released 10 players.
They also acquired services of Quinton de Kock during the trading window in an all money trade with RCB. The South African wicketkeeper is the lone acquisition of MI in the trade window. After the trades, MI are left with 7 slots - 6 Indian players and 1 overseas player.
Players who were released by MI are - Mustafizur Rahman, Pat Cummins, Saurabh Tiwary, Pradeep Sangwan, Mohsin Khan, MD Nidheesh, Sharad Lumba, Tajinder Singh Dhillon, JP Duminy, Akila Dananjaya.
Squad after the culmination of the trading window - Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Krunal Pandya, Ishan Kishan (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Mayank Markande, Rahul Chahar, Anukul Roy, Siddhesh Lad, Aditya Tare, Kieron Pollard, Ben Cutting, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Jason Behrendorff, Quinton de Kock.
One of the players to be released by MI was star Bangladesh medium-pace bowler, Mustafizur Rahman. Rahman played a huge role during the IPL winning campaign of SRH team in 2016 season but could not replicate the same kind of form in the succeeding seasons. His indifferent form during the last season might probably be the primary reason MI team management decided to release him.
With Mustafizur's release, an open spot for a fast bowler has been created in the MI squad. Here are 3 players who could potentially replace Mustafizur Rahman -
Honorable mention -
Oshane Thomas(West Indies) has impressed one and all with his fiery pace bowling in the recently concluded series against India. So he might also be a potential pick for the MI team during the auctions.
#3 Chris Jordan (England)
England limited-overs specialist bowler, Chris Jordan, is a very experienced campaigner in the shortest format of the game. He has participated in various T20 leagues around the world and honed his T20 bowling skills.
He has played in 134 T20 matches and picked up 137 wickets including 2 four-wicket hauls. 4/11 are his best bowling figures in an innings of T20 match.
In the IPL, he represented SRH during the last season but was released during the trading window. He is a very clever bowler who improvises according to the game situation and has the ability to bowl well at the start as well as in the death overs.
His inclusion into the MI squad will reduce the burden on Jasprit Bumrah, as he is a very capable death overs bowler.
#2 Josh Hazlewood (Australia)
The current co vice-captain of Australian ODI and Test teams, Josh Hazlewood is a bowler who is capable of hitting the right lengths consistently and troubling the batsmen with his nagging accuracy. He has already established himself as a reliable strike bowler in the Test arena.
He is a highly underrated bowler in white ball cricket and often gets overshadowed by the likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. Currently, he is the only Australian bowler in the top ten of the ODI bowler rankings list. At present, he holds the ninth position in the ICC ODI bowler rankings.
Mumbai Indians already have the best death bowler in the world, Jasprit Bumrah, in their ranks, so the addition of a world-class new ball operator like Josh Hazlewood would lend balance and inculcate variety to their bowling lineup.
#1 Sam Curran (England)
The young sensation Sam Curran has been making headlines ever since his debut against Pakistan in June this year. The home series against India turned him into an instant superstar of the English side. He on more than one occasion bailed his team out from deep trouble and put them in triumphant positions through valuable contributions with both bat and ball.
He is one of the most exciting all-around prospects in the world right now.
He has played in 47 T20 matches and picked up 42 wickets including 1 four-wicket haul - 4/13 are his best bowling figures in an innings of T20 match.
He is a decent new ball bowler who has the ability to swing the ball in both directions, so he may be the ideal bowling partner to the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell McClenaghan, and Hardik Pandya in the MI XI. His inclusion adds depth to MI;s bowling line-up as each of the above-mentioned bowlers bring something unique to the table.
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