Mumbai Indians: 5 players worth bidding for in IPL Auction 2018

Arguably Mumbai Indians is one of the heavyweights of IPL. Over the years they have had many big names, who have had many matches turning contributions of their own. With the retention of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah they already have a strong foundation to build on, as it were.

Mumbai Indians is one of the most valuable teams, and the team owners don't mind spending money on match winners. The team's revenue from sponsorships and the likes far outstrip what they spend on players. Suffice it to say, they can afford to spend money on potential match winners. This time we can expect the same. Here are the 5 bankable players, who are up for auction for IPL this year.

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#5 Shubnam Gill

Mumbai Indians would do well to invest in local guns, and this 18-year-old could fit in perfectly with their long-term plans. He has a lot of, yet untapped potential to perform well on the big stage, a fact backed by his impressive stats.

This Punjabi opener aggregated 351 runs in four innings for India U-19 during Youth ODI series against England on home soil. Furthermore, not long ago, during the Under-19 World Cup, he played a blistering inning of 90* off 59 balls.

Shubnam Gill is a huge Virat Kohli fan and we have seen enough glimpses of Kohli in some of his shots to know that he has done a reasonable job of emulating his idol. His ability to play big shots in clutch moments coupled with his history of high strike rate should warrant his serious consideration by the team.

#4 Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer — remember the name

For the last couple of seasons, Mumbai Indians have had the perfect death bowling duo in Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah. However, now Malinga is well past his best and Mumbai will be on the lookout for a death bowler to accompany Jasprit Bumrah.

Jofra Archer could very well be the perfect match for this demand. This young West Indian fast bowling all-rounder from Barbados has mesmerized many by his extraordinary performance for Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL|07. He is the second highest wicket-taker in the ongoing BBL|07 with 15 wickets in 9 matches (stats as on 25 January).

Alloyed with that, is his ability to hit big shots low down the order. These facts only go to show that this 22-year-old can be a great asset for Mumbai Indians, were the team to give him the chance, and it would not hurt the team at all to acquire this emerging West Indian fresh blood.

#3 Evin Lewis

Evin Levis is all set to make his IPL debut

Over the years the team has been chopping and changing their opening batters in a hope to get a good start. Lately, though, they have been struggling to find the right match to open the batting with Rohit Sharma and the consequence of this has been Rohit's constant vacillating between opening and number 3.

Evin Lewis, the man from West Indies could be the 'quest ender' for the opening slot. In last twelve months, he has done phenomenally well with the bat in T20 format across the globe. He is now all set to make his debut in IPL.

This probably makes him the most coveted player to acquire for the franchises, which makes it even more difficult for Mumbai Indians to get their hands on him first. Whichever side he ends up on though, augurs good results solely owing to his performance.

#2 Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan is again ready to set IPL on fire

This class act from Afghanistan has been proving his dexterity with fingers in all the T20 leagues. It is certain that he will get a lucrative deal in IPL auction 2018.

Just imagine the ball game where Mumbai Indians gets Krunal Pandya by RTM card and at the same time, get lucky enough to buy Rashid, khan. In this hypothetical, if these two were to play on a proper Wankhede track; Krunal with his accurate line and length, keeping the one end tight and on the other end Rashid 'Magician' Khan picking up all important wickets with his mysteries and variations. With Bumrah in the mix, who has hardly been giving anything away in death overs, the team has its fourth title in the bag!

This premise hardly gives way to the need to further define the team’s need for Rashid. Hitherto, he has done wonders for every team he has ever played for and in a good sum at that.

#1 Yuvraj Singh

Addition of Yuvraj Singh could make batting order solid

After leaving Kings XI Punjab, Yuvraj Singh has played IPL for many other teams but this year he may find his rightful home in Mumbai Indians. This team needs match winners like Yuvraj, who can turn the match on its head if ever the need arises. By virtue of that fact alone, the team should be eager to grab him.

Rohit Sharma has been handling the batting responsibility all by his lonesome. The addition of Yuvraj at number four has all the makings of success that sometimes eludes the team; the 'Hitman-Yuvi' duo could destroy any opposition when they get going.

He can be handy with the ball at times and has a hat-trick in IPL to his name, something people are all too comfortable forgetting about. Yuvraj Singh is fit, and he has done well in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. With all his experience he could be the premium addition to the team.