IPL 2020: 3 players who could be surplus to Mumbai Indians

Defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) came out all guns blazing in the auctions as they managed to bag some exciting names to their kitty. However, the core of the Mumbai Indians remains the same which has been the case for several years. The team composition is one of the best for the Mumbai Indians with a perfect blend of youth and experienced campaigners.

The inclusion of Trent Boult and Nathan Coulter-Nile will strengthen their bowling department. However, given the variety of foreign players, MI has it will be highly unlikely that the two will play together. Hence one of them could be warming the benches for the majority of the tournament. Mumbai Indians boast of several match-winners in their ranks which might force some of the players to warm the benches.

Mumbai Indians full squad

Rohit Sharma, Sherfane Rutherford, Suryakumar Yadav, Anmolpreet Singh, Chris Lynn, Saurabh Tiwary, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga, Mitchell McClenaghan, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Mohsin Khan, Prince Balwant Rai Singh, Digvijay Deshmukh, Hardik Pandya, Jayant Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Anukul Roy, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ishan Kishan, Quinton de Kock, Aditya Tare.

Now let us have a look at 3 players who could be surplus for Mumbai Indians

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Mitchell McClenaghan

Mitchell McLenaghan

The left-arm seamer from New Zealand has been part of the Mumbai Indians outfit for a long time now and has been a wicket-taking option for Rohit Sharma. However given the team composition, Mitchell McClenaghan is expected to warm the benches. MI bought the services of Nathan Coulter-Nile for INR 8.6 crores and used the trade window to perfection bagging Trent Boult. Hence these two should be the first two picks and McLenaghan could only come into equation if there are any injury concerns.

He has bagged 71 wickets in his IPL career so far for the Mumbai Indians at an impressive average of 25. However his economy rate has been on the higher side due to his inability in the death overs to bowl tight. He played his last T20I for New Zealand back in 2018 and hasn’t looked a threat in the domestic matches he has played in the recent past.

Sherfane Rutherford

Sherfane Rutherford

Mumbai Indians roped in the services of Sherfane Rutherford during the trade window. He is a powerful striker of the ball and has shown glimpses of his brutal hitting in the IPL for Delhi Capitals (DC) last year. Rutherford plays the role of a finisher but MI already has the likes of Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, and Krunal Pandya who have played the role to perfection in the last 3 years. Chances of Rutherford making the XI look very bleak and only multiple injuries could pave a way in for him.

The southpaw played 7 matches for DC in the last season but had pretty mediocre numbers. His only innings of substance came against the Royal Challengers Bangalore when he smashed 28 off a mere 13 deliveries and played a pivotal role in DC’s win. MI might give him a game or two but in all likelihood, Rutherford is expected to warm the benches for the majority of the tournament.

Aditya Tare

Aditya Tare

Mumbai Indians already have the likes of Quinton de Kock and Ishan Kishan as wicket-keepers and in all probabilities, Aditya Tare is unlikely to get a single game in the tournament. It was Tare who smashed a huge six in the famous clash against Rajasthan Royals in 2015. MI needed a boundary to qualify for the playoffs and Tare smashed a six in his very first delivery to help them to scrape through to the last 4.

Tare has been part of the Mumbai Indians outfit for a long time but didn’t get a single game in the last 2 years. He came out to keep in a game when Ishan Kishan had to leave the field owing to an injury but didn’t manage to feature in the playing XI during the course of the tournament. The 32-year-old is a veteran of the domestic circuit but has been woefully out of touch in the recent past and has managed only a single half-century in the last 10 Ranji Trophy clashes.