Rohit Sharma has established himself as the most successful captain in IPL history, leading Mumbai Indians (MI) to five trophies, the most by any team in the tournament. Under his leadership, MI has become synonymous with consistency, a testament to Rohit’s strategic acumen. Known for his prolific run-scoring abilities, Rohit is widely recognized as one of the most gifted batsmen globally, particularly excelling in shorter formats. His monumental achievement of scoring three double centuries in ODIs underscores his exceptional talent and prowess with the bat. Rohit’s journey in the IPL began with the Deccan Chargers, where he played a pivotal role in the team’s victory in 2009. Since joining MI in 2011, he has been instrumental in shaping the team’s batting lineup and eventually took over as captain in 2013. Under his captaincy, MI secured their maiden IPL title and also won the Champions League T20 in the same year. Despite facing challenges, such as a slow start in the 2015 season, Rohit’s leadership skills shone through as MI staged a remarkable turnaround, culminating in their second IPL title. His captaincy legacy continued with title victories in 2017 and 2019, marked by thrilling last-ball finishes. In the 2020 season, Rohit led MI to their second consecutive title, showcasing his ability to inspire and lead the team to success. As he returns as Team India’s full-time captain across all formats, Rohit’s leadership journey is a testament to his excellence and impact on the cricketing world.
Time and again, Mumbai Indians have demonstrated their trust in young talent, and Dewald Bravis epitomizes their commitment to nurturing emerging players. At just 18 years old, Dewald commanded a substantial Rs 3 crore from Mumbai Indians during a competitive bidding process, showcasing their belief in his potential. Cricket enthusiasts familiar with the ICC U19 World Cup recognize his exceptional abilities, often drawing comparisons to the legendary AB de Villiers, earning him the nickname ‘Baby AB.’ His outstanding performance in the tournament, where he emerged as the highest run-scorer with 506 runs in six matches, including two centuries and three half-centuries, further solidifies his promise. Now, as he joins Mumbai Indians, Dewald has the opportunity to learn from international stars and refine his skills. His debut season in the IPL promises to be intriguing, offering a glimpse of his potential as a future cricket star.
solidified Suryakumar Yadav’s position as one of India’s top white-ball batsmen. His return to Mumbai Indians in the 11th IPL season marked a significant turning point. Acquired for INR 3.2 crore, Yadav leveraged his deep understanding of the Wankhede Stadium pitch to capitalize on every opportunity. Despite Mumbai Indians’ failure to reach the playoffs in one season, Yadav’s stellar performances at the top of the order stood out. Transitioning from a middle-order role with Kolkata Knight Riders, Yadav’s new opening role with MI showcased his adaptability and composure against the new ball. His ability to adjust his game according to the match situation, switching between aggression and patience, contributed significantly to his success. In subsequent seasons, Yadav continued to shine, notably scoring 480 runs at a strike rate of 145 in 2020 and earning a T20 International debut for India. Mumbai Indians’ decision to retain Yadav ahead of the auction speaks volumes about his value to the team, underscoring his importance in their quest for success in the upcoming season.
The choice was between Aditya Tare and Ishan Kishan before the 11th season, and Mumbai Indians went with Kishan. Since then, Ishan’s performance has only improved, leading to his significant investment of 15.25 crore by Mumbai Indians at the mega auction for IPL 15. Now back with MI, Ishan’s aggressive batting style is crucial for providing strong starts during the powerplay.
The talented left-handed batsman from Hyderabad has impressive stats across formats, playing 4 first-class, 16 List A, and 15 T20 games. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021-22, he scored 180 runs in five matches and took four wickets, showing his all-round ability. He also performed well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, scoring 215 runs in seven games at a strike rate of 147.26. Varma, a member of India’s U19 World Cup squad in 2020, was acquired by Mumbai Indians for 1.7 crore after stiff competition from other franchises like Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings, and Rajasthan Royals.
Attracting bids from six IPL franchises on a mega auction day is a testament to David’s exceptional talent. Hailing from Singapore, he is considered one of the most promising prospects in international cricket. Standing at 6ft 5in, David is a powerful batsman known for his ability to dominate in the death overs. With an impressive strike rate of 159.36 in nearly 90 T20 matches, he has proven his worth on various cricketing platforms, including the Big Bash League, The Hundred, and the Caribbean Premier League. While previously picked up by RCB in the IPL, David’s performance continues to make waves in the cricketing world.
Vishnu Vinod is an Indian cricketer known for his explosive batting skills. He has represented Kerala in domestic cricket and has also played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for teams like Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Vinod is a wicketkeeper-batsman who has shown great potential with the bat, especially in the T20 format. His ability to score quick runs and handle pressure situations makes him a valuable asset in the cricketing world. Vinod continues to be a promising talent to watch out for in Indian cricket.
Arjun, the left-arm pacer, debuted in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Mumbai in 2021 against Haryana. Known for his curved run-up and genuine outswinger, he can swing the ball late and at a good pace. Arjun’s all-round skills, including his ability to contribute with the bat, impressed Mumbai Indians, who initially bought him at a base price of INR 20 lakh in the 2021 auctions. For the 15th season, Mumbai Indians retained Arjun for 30 lakhs, highlighting their confidence in his potential.
Shams Mulani is an Indian cricketer who represents Mumbai in domestic cricket. He is a left-arm spinner and a handy lower-order batsman. Mulani has been a consistent performer in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, showcasing his bowling prowess and ability to contribute with the bat when needed. He has also been a part of the Mumbai Indians squad in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has gained valuable experience playing alongside top players. Mulani’s all-round abilities make him a valuable asset for Mumbai cricket and a player to watch in the future.
Nehal Wadhera is an Indian cricketer known for his batting skills. He hails from Punjab and has represented the state in domestic cricket, showcasing his talent as a top-order batsman. Wadhera has been a consistent performer in age-group cricket, impressing with his technique and temperament at the crease. He has also been a part of India’s Under-19 cricket team, where he gained valuable experience playing against top young talents from around the world. Wadhera’s ability to build innings and play crucial knocks under pressure makes him a promising prospect for Indian cricket.
Kumar Kartikeya, a 24-year-old cricketer from Uttar Pradesh, was signed by the Mumbai Indians as a replacement for the injured Arshad Khan for INR 20 lakh. This left-arm spinner showcased his skills by taking nine wickets in eight T20 matches for Madhya Pradesh. It will be intriguing to observe how Mumbai Indians will deploy Kartikeya’s spin bowling abilities in the upcoming tournament.
Piyush Chawla is an experienced Indian cricketer known for his leg-spin bowling. He has represented India in various formats of the game, including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Chawla has also been a prominent figure in domestic cricket, playing for teams like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. He has a knack for taking crucial wickets and has contributed significantly to his teams’ success over the years. Chawla has also been a part of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has played for teams like Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, showcasing his talent on the big stage.
Hailing from Roorkee, Uttarakhand, Akash Madhawal, a right-arm medium pacer, joined Mumbai Indians as an injury replacement for Suryakumar Yadav, who was sidelined due to a left forearm muscle injury. The 28-year-old pacer, acquired by the franchise for INR 20 lakh, has played 15 T20 matches for Uttarakhand, taking 15 wickets at an average of 26.60. It will be intriguing to witness how Akash utilizes his skillset on the grand stage for one of the most successful franchises in the tournament.
Jason Behrendorff, the Australian left-arm fast bowler, proved to be a bargain for RCB at the Mega Auction with a base price of INR 75 lakhs. Known for his expertise with the new ball in Australian cricket, Jason initially joined the IPL with Mumbai Indians in 2018 but missed due to a back injury. MI retained him for the 2019 season, and he debuted against CSK that year. In 2021, he moved to Chennai Super Kings and is now geared up to represent RCB in 2022, ready to showcase his bold and aggressive style of play.