IPL Auction 2020: 3 players MI will look to buy back from their released list

The IPL Auction 2020 is all set to take place tomorrow in Kolkata, with all eight teams trying to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season. The franchises were very active in the trade window this year and, as per the cricket experts, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals were the biggest winners of that period.

While Delhi added some much-needed experience to their squad, Mumbai Indians bolstered their pace attack with the addition of Trent Boult, Dhawal Kulkarni and Sherfane Rutherford. They released Mayank Markande and Siddhesh Lad during the trade window, but the players traded in have greater value than them.

Coming to the players released by Mumbai Indians, Yuvraj Singh was the biggest name on the list. Since he has retired from IPL, the Mumbai-based franchise had no other option but to let him go.

In this article, we will take a look at the three players Mumbai Indians will look to buy back from their released list.

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#3 Ben Cutting

Ben Cutting

The man who played a match-winning role for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2016 final, Ben Cutting has been one of the most active players in the T20 arena. He has played 131 matches, aggregating 1,704 runs at a strike rate of 150.93. The all-rounder has scalped 105 wickets to go with that, and he has also taken a five-wicket haul.

Having played a lot of franchise cricket worldwide, Cutting has the caliber to be a part of any IPL squad. He has a batting strike rate of 168.79 in the league, which shows that he can do well in Indian conditions.

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Given that Mumbai Indians still have two overseas spots left in their squad, they may look to add Cutting's services as a back-up for Kieron Pollard.

#2 Evin Lewis

Evin Lewis

Mumbai Indians raised quite a few eyebrows when they announced the release of Evin Lewis ahead of IPL 2020. Although the left-handed batsman was quiet in IPL 2019, he had a stellar 2018 edition with the Mumbai-based franchise.

Lewis had scored 382 runs in 13 matches during the 11th season of the IPL. He had registered two half-centuries too, while batting at a strike rate of 138.40.

Mumbai did not use his services much in 2019 because of Quinton de Kock's presence in the team. However, many believe they should not have released him as he is a proven match-winner in T20 cricket.

The Trinidad-born player recently played two good knocks in the T20I series against India, while he also scored 68 runs in a T20I versus Afghanistan in Lucknow. The 27-year-old is in great touch and can wreak havoc in IPL 2020.

He can be a back-up overseas opening option for Mumbai this year. If the team owners can grab him at a cheaper price than his previous contract, then it will be a win-win situation for Mumbai.

#1 Pankaj Jaiswal

Pankaj Jaiswal

While everyone noticed the names of Yuvraj Singh, Evin Lewis and Ben Cutting in the released players' list, one name that most would have missed is Pankaj Jaiswal. Very few fans know about him, as he has not played in the IPL.

Mumbai Indians did not need use in the playing XI last year. But they would look to buy Jaiswal back because of his all-round talent.

The 24-year-old had grabbed the cricket world's attention by scoring a 16-ball 50 for Himachal Pradesh in Ranji Trophy 2017-18. Also, he has a strike rate of 193.40 in T20 cricket.

With his right-arm medium pace, Jaiswal had ended Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018-19 as Himachal Pradesh's leading wicket-taker. Besides, he has taken 6 four-wicket hauls in the T20 format.

There is no doubting the immense talent present in the all-rounders' section of Mumbai Indians. But Jaiswal could still be a valuable addition to the squad, to be used as a backup option.

In case any of the Indian all-rounders pick up an injury or need some rest, then Mumbai could utilize Jaiswal's services.