'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Like every other edition, the excitement for Indian Premier League 2019 has begun. The auction table is where the strategies evolve and teams plan the pathway to the new edition.
The return of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the previous edition of IPL has added that old flair to the lucrative league. The auction for IPL 2019 got underway in Jaipur on December 18.
The uncertainty in the venue of the upcoming IPL edition made this auction even more important from a strategic point of view.
Each franchise had their core team sorted and was on the lookout for missing pieces to make the team complete.
The auction began on a good note where Delhi Capitals made their first purchase in Hanuma Vihari for two Crore.
Soon West Indian players made their presence felt as Carlos Brathwaite, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran were sold to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) respectively.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) made strategic buys in the form of Jonny Bairstow, Martin Guptill, and Wriddhiman Saha.
But it was Jaydev Unadkat, uncapped Varun Chakravarthy, and England teen sensation Sam Curran who were the major highlights of 2019 auction. Three-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) vested more faith in their old guns along with the new talents. Buying back the yorker king Lasith Malinga just adds to the earlier statement.
This is the strongest possible playing eleven for Mumbai Indians for the upcoming season.
#1 Evin Lewis
The left-handed explosive batsman from Trinidad- Evin Lewis is a must have a player when it comes to shorter formats. Nicknamed as 'Junior Gayle', he made his T20I debut for West Indies in the year 2016 against Afghanistan.
Later, Lewis scored a swashbuckling century against India in the first match of the series in the USA in just 48 balls.
A year later, when he played against India he smashed an unbeaten 125 while chasing. His hard-hitting ability made him a player to watch out in the IPL auction. He was roped in by Mumbai Indians for a whopping 3.8 Crore rupees for 2018 edition.
Lewis has played 17 T20 matches, has an admirable average of 33 and an impressive strike rate of 157!
He has played 13 matches for MI in the 2018 edition and scored 382 runs at a healthy average of 29.
Now that Mumbai Indians have retained him for the next season, Lewis surely will start as an opener for the Mumbai Paltan.
#2 Quinton De Kock (wk)
Quinton De Kock is a professional South African cricketer who opens the innings in the limited overs format.
With consistent performances for his domestic team, he got a chance to debut for South Africa in 2012-13 against New Zealand.
His growing popularity in the shortest format grabbed him an IPL contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013.
Unfortunately, De Kock failed to deliver his best with SRH. In 2014, he was signed by Delhi Daredevils (renamed as Delhi Capitals) for 3.5 crores which made him the highest bid overseas wicketkeeper in that auction.
He played 23 matches for Delhi Daredevils and scored 720 runs at an average of 32.7 with a strike rate of 130. His association with Delhi ended with 2017 edition and he was bought by RCB for 2018 edition for 2.8 Crore.
His contributions at RCB didn't help the franchise as he could amass only 200 runs in eight matches.
As a result, he was the first trade off for the 2019 edition in which he was traded to Mumbai Indians for his auction price. Although he hasn't been at his best in the IPL, playing alongside Lewis at Mumbai Indians will surely get the team to flying starts in power play.
#3 Rohit Sharma (c)
Rohit Sharma, nicknamed as Hitman is an iconic player in the history of IPL. Rohit initially played for Deccan Chargers in the initial three seasons and was later bought by Mumbai Indians for the 2011 edition.
Rohit has evolved as a batsman and as a good captain that a T20 team demands. His on-field strategies have helped Mumbai lift the coveted trophy for a record third time in the history of the league in 2017 edition.
He has always been an explosive batsman for Team India in the shortest format. His average of 33 in 82 innings for India is admirable. His surreal timing of the cricket ball sets him apart from the rest.
Since 2011, he has played 128 matches for Mumbai Indians and has scored 3323 runs at an average of 32.2 which is commendable. Rohit is now an important cog in the Mumbai Indian's top order.
He was the first retained player by MI for 2018 edition along with Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. With Rohit leading the side in 2019 edition, the franchise will look to add another silverware to their belt.
#4 Ishan Kishan
The Jharkhand lad Ishan Kishan grabbed eyeballs when he was named as the captain for Under-19 World Cup squad in 2016.
He impressed one and all when he scored a double hundred against Delhi in Ranji Trophy 2016-17 edition. His 273 was the highest individual score by a Jharkhand player in the Ranji Trophy history.
His consistent performances from the wicketkeeper-batsman in the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy where he scored 484 runs in six matches raised his stature as a player.
As a result, he went under the hammer in 2018 IPL auction and was bought by Mumbai Indians.
He was also the leading run-scorer for Jharkhand in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018-19 which makes him an ideal choice for Mumbai Indians in the middle order to add more strength to the playing eleven.
The southpaw will definitely be a vital cog in the MI lineup and will definitely be an important player for the side if they are to lift their 4th IPL trophy
#5 Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav is a Mumbai born cricketer who plays for Mumbai in the domestic circuit. The right-handed batsman made his Ranji debut in the year 2010-11 and has been consistent for his team since then. His consistency earned him a contract from the Mumbai Indians in the IPL in 2012.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bought Suryakumar in 2014 season. He performed so well for the franchise that he ended up earning the designation of vice-captain of the team. In his IPL career, it was his strike rate that made him stand out in his cameos.
In 2018 IPL auction, Mumbai Indians showed interest in Suryakumar Yadav and paid a hefty 3.2 crore for him.
He lived up to the faith imposed by scoring 512 runs at an average of 34 and impressive strike rate of 132. Considering his performances in the last season, he will definitely feature in the strongest playing eleven.
#6 Ben Cutting
Benjamin Cutting is an Australian all-rounder who plays for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League. After ending the Australian domestic season of 2009-10 on a high, cutting was bought by Brisbane Heat in 2011.
His clean hitting ability along with his fast bowling makes him a good addition to any team. He made his IPL debut with Kings XI Punjab in 2013, but later joined Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016.
Ben Cutting rose to the occasion during IPL 2016 when he played a blistering knock in the finals for SRH against home team Royal Challengers Bangalore. Mumbai Indians bought Ben in the 2018 IPL auction.
He played nine matches for MI in 2018 but had a poor season with both bat and ball. Mumbai would definitely hope Ben cuts lose and win matches for them in the upcoming season.
Cutting’s all-round abilities will definitely be an asset to the team.
#7 Hardik Pandya
Bold, extravagant are the names that come to one's mind when they hear Hardik Pandya. He started his cricket career with Baroda in the domestic circuit.
His contributions have helped Baroda to win the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy in 2013-14. Considering his T20 prowess, Mumbai Indians bought Hardik in the 2015 IPL auction.
We can't forget that quickfire eight balls 21 runs with the bat, which helped Mumbai, win over Chennai Super Kings.
Since then, Hardik has played 46 innings for Mumbai and scored 666 runs at a healthy strike rate of 139.
With the ball, he has taken 28 wickets and his fielding abilities are unquestionable. He is a definite choice for Mumbai in their playing eleven for 2019 edition of IPL.
At the moment he has recovered successfully from a back injury and is fit to play down under in the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
#8 Krunal Pandya
Krunal Pandya, the elder brother of Hardik Pandya is a fearless cricketer who is passionate about the game.
He was one of those cricketers who were in the radar of Mumbai Indians team management for a contract at the auction.
His performances were being followed closely by the talent scouts of Mumbai Indians camp and were due for a contract. His performances in Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy helped him to gain limelight for the bigger stage at IPL.
Finally, in 2016 auction, Mumbai Indians bought Krunal for a price of two Crore. The brothers were overwhelmed by the fact of playing together for the same franchise which was a dream come true for both.
Krunal has played 39 matches for MI and scored 708 runs at a staggering strike rate of 153!
With the ball, he has been equally effective with 28 scalps at an economy of 7.11. The Pandya brothers have helped Mumbai script numerous victories in the IPL and Mumbai will definitely hope for more fireworks from both the brothers in the upcoming edition of IPL.
#9 Mayank Markande
Mayank Markande is a Punjab born leg-spinner, idolizing the great Shane Warne was unheard of before he started playing for Mumbai Indians.
He first played for Punjab in Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy and his skill earned him a contract with Mumbai Indians after few weeks.
He was bought by Mumbai Indians at the base price of 20 Lakhs. On being picked by a franchise in IPL, Mayank had stated that he was not hoping to be playing IPL but was surprised when Mumbai Indians had picked him.
After the auction, he was a part of Punjab team in Vijay Hazare Trophy. A few months later, he got to debut for his IPL team Mumbai.
For the first time, everyone took notice of his skills with the ball. In his first match in IPL against the powerhouse CSK, he spun a web around the CSK batsmen who failed to read his googlies.
He ended that match with figures 4-0-23-3 which included the prized wickets of MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu.
He followed it up with similar performance in the second match to grab another four wicket haul. His 2018 season with Mumbai Indians was successful and he would look to repeat the same with the ball in hand and start as a frontline spinner for MI.
#10 Jason Behrendorff
Behrendorff is a left-arm fast bowler from Australia who plays for Western Australia since 2012. He made his debut in Big Bash league for Perth Scorchers in 2012. He was named as the Domestic Player of the year in 2015.
His standout performances in Sheffield Shield in 2017 earned him an international call-up for the national team. He was added to the T20 squad of Australia against India in 2017.
His four wickets in the T20I series against India in the second match and helped Australia level the series. Impressed by his performances Mumbai Indians bought him at the 2018 IPL auctions for 1.5 Crores.
Although he didn't get to play any match for MI in 2018, he will definitely look to start fresh in 2019 edition of IPL.
Jason might be the solution to Mumbai’s search for a pacer to compliment Jasprit Bumrah. His extra pace gives him that x-factor.
#11 Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is indeed one of the great finds by Mumbai Indians in the IPL history. Known for his unorthodox action, Bumrah has mastered the art of bowling at the death.
Back in 2012, Bumrah was a part of Gujarat team in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and played an important role in helping his team win the final against Punjab in 2012.
That's when Mumbai found him and bought him at the 2013 IPL auction. Even though the initial season with MI was ordinary, his consistency at the domestic level made him extend his association with Mumbai Indians.
Since then, Bumrah has played 61 matches for the franchise and has taken 63 wickets at an average of 28.
Captain Rohit Sharma uses Bumrah as his wicket-taking option and on Bumrah has regularly proven his craft in the death overs. Mumbai Indians will definitely trust his abilities to deliver for them yet again.
Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download CricRocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more! 🚀☄️
