3 Players Mumbai Indians (MI) could have bought in IPL 2020 Auction instead of Nathan Coulter-Nile

Defending champions Mumbai Indians further strengthened their squad by acquiring the services of proven players like Trent Boult (trade window signing) and Chris Lynn ahead of 2020 IPL. Australian pacer Nathan Coulter Nile was one of the six new additions made by Mumbai at 2020 IPL auction held at Kolkata in December 2019.

It will be a return to the Wankhede Stadium for Coulter Nile who represented Mumbai in 2013 before moving to Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The 32-year-old missed 2019 IPL due to a stiff back and was replaced by Dale Steyn at RCB. The Perth-born pacer created an intense bidding war between arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians during 2020 auction but it was Mumbai who finally managed to sign Coulter Nile with a winning bid of INR 8 crore.

With established pacers like Lasith Malinga, Japrit Bumrah, Trent Boult and Mitchell McClenaghan already in their ranks, Mumbai could have gone made a smart investment instead of shelling out a massive amount for Coulter Nile.

Despite his 2019 World Cup heroics, Mumbai wouldn’t have considered buying Mustafizur Rahman who was available at INR 1 crore given his unimpressive stint with them in 2018 IPL and with two left-arm seamers (Boult and McClenaghan) already in the squad. At 36, Malinga is not getting younger anymore hence the four-time winners could have gone for a better right-arm fast bowling prospect.

On that note, let us look at three pacers Mumbai Indians could have bought instead of Nathan Coulter Nile at 2020 IPL auction:

3. Matt Henry

Despite a heartbreaking loss in the final, New Zealand pacers grabbed the headlines with their exploits throughout 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. Henry was one of those Kiwi speedsters who had a memorable campaign picking up 14 wickets at an economy of 4.87 with his best figures being 4/47. In fact, the 28-year-old was the wrecker-in-chief in the highly-anticipated semi-final clash against the Men in Blue, finishing with the figures of 3/37. India’s batting collapse saw them losing the crucial fixture by 18 runs.

The Christchurch-born pacer who began his IPL career with Chennai Super Kings did not don the famous yellow jersey during his two-year stint (2014 and 2015 IPL) at the franchise. Henry, who returned to the IPL in 2017 after being bought for INR 50 lakh by Kings XI Punjab, made just two appearances throughout season ten for the 2014 runners-up and was eventually released ahead of 2018 IPL.

Having proved his credentials at the 2019 World Cup, Henry was expected to return to the league this time but he went unsold with a base price of INR 50 lakhs at 2020 IPL auction. With two Kiwi pacers (Trent Boult and Mitchell McClenaghan) already in their ranks, Mumbai Indians could have gone for Henry who could torment batsmen with pace, accuracy and wicket-taking instead of buying Coulter Nile for an astronomical price tag.

2. Anrich Nortje

Though Nortje’s inclusion was seen as a much-needed addition for the beleaguered pace attack of Kolkata Knight Riders, the Protea pacer who was bought by at 2019 IPL auction at his base price of INR 20 lakhs was unfortunately ruled out of season twelve due to shoulder injury. The 26-year-old who was later replaced by Aussie speedster Matthew Kelly was eventually released by the Dinesh Karthik-led franchise ahead of 2020 IPL auction.

But he went unsold at the after finding no buyers at the December 19 auction with a base price of INR 50 lakhs. Known for his lethal spells, the fiery Norje has the ability to clock the magical 150-kph mark consistently. Playing alongside established pacers like Dale Steyn and Wahab Riaz at Cape Town Blitz, he managed six wickets during 2019-20 Mzansi Super League.

Nortje was sensational with the cherry in the four-match Test series against England at home last month finishing as the highest wicket-taker with 18 scalps to his name. Though Proteas lost the series 1-3, Nortje who unleashed his best proved he might be deadly if he is fully fit. At just INR 50 lakhs, it would have been a smart investment from Mumbai given his credentials across formats (181 First-class, 59 List A and 25 T20 wickets).

1. Alzarri Joseph

What’s more surprising than Mumbai Indians releasing Alzarri Joseph is, the talented pacer going unsold at the 2020 IPL auction despite proving his worth last season after coming in as a replacement signing for injured Kiwi pacer Adam Milne. The Antiguan who was expected to attract huge bids, unfortunately, went unsold with a base price of INR 50 lakhs.

Despite managing just three appearances, the 23-year-old grabbed the headlines during 2019 IPL with his breath-taking spell on his IPL debut against Sunrisers Hyderabad. His figures of 6/12 in 3.4 overs is now the best in the twelve-year history of IPL. The talented Alzarri Joseph rattled the Orange Army’s batting line-up with his raw pace thereby bundling them out for just 96 runs in their own backyard while chasing 137 runs.

Unfortunately, he was ruled out of the remainder of 2019 IPL due to a shoulder injury he suffered against Rajasthan Royals and was eventually replaced by South African pacer Beuran Hendricks. Rohit Sharma’s men could have gone for Alzarri Joseph who has already proved himself in the IPL instead of shelling out a massive amount for Coulter Nile.