IPL 2020: 3 players Mumbai Indians will look to replace at the upcoming auction

Mumbai Indians became the most successful franchise in the history of the IPL when they defeated Chennai Super Kings in the 2019 final.

They had finished the league stage at the top spot after being the most consistent team throughout the tournament. Mumbai had the most balanced squad of all; they had retained their core in the 2018 mega auction and bought some decent backup players in 2019, which helped prepare them for any eventuality.

Despite having the strongest squad in the tournament though, a champion team like Mumbai would want to improve even further at the upcoming auction. They can do that by releasing some players who did not perform well in the 2019 IPL edition, and buying some better value-for-money players.

MI need to look into overseas all-rounders and bowlers to add more depth to the squad. A long tournament like the IPL can result in fatigue and injuries to the players, and better squad depth would allow Mumbai to once again go deep into the tournament.

The defending champions are not known to release a lot of players, but they could get rid of some surplus resources who underperformed in IPL 2019. There's also one player who has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, and thus will not be available next year.

On that note, here are three players that Mumbai Indians would look to replace at the upcoming auction.

Also see – Mushtaq Ali Trophy points table

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#3 Ben Cutting

Ben Cutting had a very average IPL 2019

IPL 2019 performance: M - 3, R - 18, W - 1

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Ben Cutting was roped in by the Mumbai Indians for a hefty amount of Rs. 2.2 crore in the IPL 2018 auctions. The hard-hitting all-rounder was the man of the match in the 2016 final, as he helped take SRH to their first IPL title.

Cutting played three matches for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019 and managed to score just 18 runs. His bowling wasn't great either, and right now it is difficult to see how he fits into the team.

Cutting was seen as a long-term replacement for Kieron Pollard, but the Australian all-rounder has not been able to live up to the expectations. With heavy competition from all-rounders like Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard and Krunal Pandya, Cutting would find it difficult to find a place in the starting XI consistently.

After a poor show of form, it is likely that Mumbai Indians will part ways with Cutting this year.

#2 Barinder Sran

Sran failed to live up to his price tag

IPL 2019 performance: M - 2, W - 0

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Mumbai Indians paid Rs. 3.4 crore for the services of left-arm seamer Barinder Sran. But he played just two matches in IPL 2019 and went wicketless in both. At such a premium price, Mumbai would have expected a lot more from the Punjab-born fast bowler.

With the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga and Hardik Pandya in their ranks, Mumbai have one of the most formidable pace attacks in the league. Sran would find it difficult to play regularly in the midst of such an attack.

That makes it unlikely for Mumbai Indians to retain Sran in their squad for IPL 2020. They can instead look into Indian as well as foreign options to replace him at the upcoming auctions.

West-Indian fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell and Kiwi seamer Adam Milne are two of the best options that Mumbai Indians can look into as replacements for Sran.

#1 Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj struggled with his form in IPL 2019

IPL 2019 performance: M - 4, R - 98

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Yuvraj Singh showed glimpses of his hard-hitting abilities when he scored a quickfire 53 in Mumbai's first league game against the Delhi Capitals. But that didn't last; Yuvraj played four matches for MI in IPL 2019 and scored just 98 runs. He struggled with his form as the tournament progressed.

The left-handed batsman was dropped for young wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan in the latter stages of the tournament. Mumbai Indians were the only team to bid for Yuvraj in the 2019 IPL auctions; they paid Rs. 1 crore for Yuvi's services last year.

On 10 June 2019, Yuvraj announced that he was retiring from all forms of cricket. The iconic batsman also confirmed that he will no longer play in the IPL, thus making the job of the MI think-tank easier.

The franchise can look at players like Kusal Perera and Eoin Morgan to replace Yuvraj.