IPL 2022 Auction: Re-structuring of MI opens gates for future stars of IPL

Mumbai Indians (MI) team 2022 details, analysis, list of bought players at auction and MI possible playing XI for IPL 2022.

Mumbai Indians (MI) full squad breakdown and analysis after IPL 2022 Auction. (©BCCI/IPL)

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 auction has come to an end and all 10 squads having been finalized. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians (MI), the five-time champions stunned the cricket fraternity with their auction strategy.

For most parts of the two-day event, many people could not understand what exactly Mumbai Indians were looking for, what their strategy was and how they were going to build a squad for the next couple of years. However, it was just a matter of two bids before MI laid their cards on the table.

On the first day of IPL mega-auction, MI re-signed wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan for a whopping price of INR 15.25 crores. It was also the second-highest bid for an Indian player at the auction table in IPL history.

On Sunday, they went for two excellent bids, probably the two for which they were saving money from day one -- Jofra Archer [8 crores] and Singapore star Tim David [8.25 crores].

They signed several young talents and a couple of experienced stars in a mega auction. On that note, let's take a look at the players Mumbai Indians signed ahead of the grand tournament.

Mumbai Indians Full Squad

Ishan Kishan [15.25 Cr], Aryan Juyal [20 Lakh], Rohit Sharma [16 Cr], Suryakumar Yadav [8 Cr], Dewald Brewis [3 Cr], Anmolpreet Singh [20 lakh], Rahul Buddhi [20 lakh], Kieron Pollard [6 Cr], N Tilak Varma [1.7 Cr], Sanjay Yadav [50 lakh], Jofra Archer [8 Cr], Daniel Sams [2.6 Cr], Tim David [8.25 Cr], Hrithik Shokeen [20 lakh], Fabian Allen [75 lakh], Ramandeep Singh [20 Lakh], Jasprit Bumrah [12 Crores], Basil Thampi [20 Lakhs], Murugan Ashwin [1.6 Crore], Jaydev Unadkat [1.3 Crore], Mayank Markande [65 lakh], Tymal Mills [1.6 Crore], Riley Meredith [1 Crore], Mohammad Arshad Khan [20 lakh], Arjun Tendulkar [30 lakh]

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Ishan Kishan (INR 15.25 cr) became 4th most expensive player of IPL auction history. (©BCCI/IPL)

Mumbai Indians Wicketkeepers - Ishan Kishan, Aryan Juyal

A whopping amount of INR 15.25 crores tells you how destructive this young wicketkeeper batter could be on his day. The left-handed batter Ishan Kishan will open the innings along with MI captain Rohit Sharma. He has been one of the most consistent performers with bat and will remain a key player for the men in blue for the upcoming season of the cash-rich league. Wicketkeeper batter from Uttar Pradesh, Aryan Juyal is the backup option behind the stumps for MI.

Mumbai Indian Batters - Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Dewald Brewis, Anmolpreet Singh, Rahul Buddhi

Rohit Sharma, the captain of Mumbai Indians, will most probably open the innings along with Ishan Kishan with Suryakumar Yadav coming at one down. Just like Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav has also been an integral part of the Mumbai-based franchise.

Dewald Brewis, most popularly known as Baby AB among fans, has also been picked by the Ambani-owned franchise. He was the highest run-scorer in the recently concluded ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022 held in West Indies. The South-African star will be groomed under Mumbai's talent scout before making it to the playing XI.

Anmolpreet Singh and Rahul Buddhi have been picked on their base salaries and will remain with the team as backup.

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Mumbai Indians All-rounders - Kieron Pollard, N Tilak Varma, Sanjay Yadav, Daniel Sams, Tim David, Hrithik Shokeen, Fabian Allen, Ramandeep Singh

N Tilak Verma, who had a base price of Rs 20 lakh, drew huge interest among the franchises and started a fierce bidding battle between Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings before Mumbai Indians came into the picture and picked him for INR 1.7 crores.

The young left-hander, who also bowls off-spin, is likely to get a nod in the playing XI, giving stability to MI's thin middle-order. His batting strike rate of above 140 in T20s tells you how lethal this young talent could be.

Even if Mumbai Indians had decided to let go of Hardik Pandya, they have managed to get his replacement in the form of Tim David, the only Singapore player in the tournament. He might be a lesser-known face in the tournament but he has got a lot of experience by playing all over the world.

The Singapore star can join hands with Kieron Pollard, a West Indian who doesn't need an introduction, and finish matches in style for Mumbai Indians. David can bowl in a couple of overs as well if the team needs.

With a shaky middle-order, a team needs players who can finish games for them and hence a lot will depend on Daniel Sams. The Australian all-rounder can smash the ball out of the park while he can also provide overs with the ball too.

Sanjay Yadav, Ramandeep Singh, Hritik Shokeen and Fabian Allen will be the backup all-rounders for Mumbai Indians.

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Mumbai Indians Bowlers - Jasprit Bumrah, Jofra Archer, Basil Thampi, Murugan Ashwin, Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank Markande, Tymal Mills, Riley Meredith, Mohammad Arshad Khan, Arjun Tendulkar

Jofra Archer, who has been picked by MI, will not be available for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League. Jasprit Bumrah, will as usual lead the pace attack of Mumbai Indians followed by Tymal Mills, the English T20 specialist, in the absence of Archer.

Jaydev Unadkat is another brilliant addition to the team. The left-arm fast bowler can bowl effectively at any stage of the game while he is handy with the bat too.

Mayank Markande will fill the shoes of Rahul Chahar in the franchise. His ability to bowl unreadable googlies will trouble the batters while Murugan Ashwin will remain his back-up in the team.

Basil Thampi, Riley Meredith, Mohammad Arshad Khan and Arjun Tendulkar will remain with the team as backup bowlers.

Overall, Mumbai Indians managed to fill the gaps in their squad with some smart buys. Tim David and Jofra Archer are their master picks in the auction. Tim David along with Kieron Pollard on the field will be a sight to watch. Jofra Archer isn't available for the 2022 edition of the tournament, however, his addition to the team after a year will provide great balance to the squad.

Mumbai Indians (MI) Possible Playing XI for IPL 2022

Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David (os), Kieron Pollard (os), Sanjay Yadav, Mayank Markande/M Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Jaydev Unadkat, Tymal Mills (os)

*os - overseas

The 15th season of the tournament is likely to kick off on March 27. Even though the BCCI is yet to publish the full schedule, the games could take place in Mumbai and Pune behind close doors due to COVID-19 pandemic.

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