Five-time champions Mumbai Indians were relatively silent on Day 1 of the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions, but sprung into action on Day 2. On Day 1, however, they broke the banks for Ishan Kishan, making him the second-most expensive Indian player in the tournament’s history, after Yuvraj Singh, by picking him at INR 15.25 crores.
Mumbai also got Tim David at INR 8.25 crores, and Jofra Archer at INR 8 crores. Though Archer will not feature in IPL 2022 due to his elbow injury, he is likely to play in 2023 and 2024, and will bowl alongside Jasprit Bumrah. They also picked ‘Baby AB de Villiers’ Dewald Brevis for INR 3 crores.
Mumbai Indians squad for IPL 2022
Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Kieron Pollard, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanjay Yadav, Basil Thampi, Daniel Sams, Jaydev Unadkat, Dewald Brevis, Tim David, M. Ashwin, Anmolpreet Singh, Hrithik Shokeen, Mayank Markande, Rahul Buddhi, Fabian Allen, Tymal Mills, Aryan Juyal, Riley Meredith, Tilak Varma, Jofra Archer, Ramandeep Singh, Arjun Tendulkar, Mohammad Arshad Khan.
Strengths
- As Quinton de Kock no longer part of the squad, Kishan is likely to open with Rohit. If they find rhythm, they will easily be the fiercest opening pair in the IPL 2022.
- Mumbai bought Meredith and Mills as Archer’s cover. They also have Basil Thampi, Daniel Sams, and Jaydev Unadkat as fast bowlers, alongside Bumrah. If one, or even more, fail or get injured, they have enough backup.
- Brevis and David are probably Mumbai’s long-term investments. They are young, and can make an impact with both bat and ball.
Weaknesses
- Mumbai failed to get a replacement of Rahul Chahar. They may have Ashwin and Markande, but neither has been as clinical as Chahar.
- Despite having a brute batting force season after season, Mumbai are famously known for a potent bowling attack, particularly since Rohit became captain. This time, they do not have one. However, they did nurture inexperienced bowlers in the past, and made them superior.
Probable XI for IPL 2022
Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Kieron Pollard, Murugan Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Jaydev Unadkat, Tymal Mills.