3 players Mumbai Indians (MI) should pick in IPL trade ahead of 2020 season

Thus far in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Mumbai Indians (MI) is the most successful team ever. Starting from 2013, the team has managed to win the title every alternate year making it four till 2019. But every season is a new challenge and it all begins with scouting for the right players months before the actual tournament even begins. In this aspect, MI has been quite consistent.

They are known to back their players and often give them plenty of chances. Over the years, they have provided Team India with some excellent cricketers as well. But, there are still a few shortcomings in the squad even though they won the title.

While the auction is an obvious way to make up for these, they can get a little smart even before that process through the trade window. They have already secured Sherfane Rutherford in exchange for Mayank Markande and will definitely eye a few more to strengthen their side.

Here are three players Mumbai Indians (MI) should look to get in the IPL trade:

1. Shivam Dube for Aditya Tare

Mumbai Indians is a side that is filled with plenty of all-rounders. They have got the likes of Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya and Kieron Pollard who are all match-winners. However, there seemed to be a slight void in the middle order even though they had Yuvraj Singh in their ranks. The veteran all-rounder didn’t get enough games and players like Ishan Kishan didn’t really help solve the purpose.

Thus, having someone like Shivam Dube can be quite handy. He is known to be a big-hitter of the ball and can be a player for the future if given enough chances. With the RCB in IPL 2019, Dube didn’t get many opportunities to prove his potential given that the team is top-heavy. Therefore, he can be a great addition to the MI middle-order.

In exchange, RCB will get Aditya Tare who is an Indian wicket-keeper. The team doesn’t have other options except for Parthiv Patel. Tare didn’t get many opportunities with MI and hasn’t played an IPL game since 2017. Since he bats in the middle order, RCB will have a reliable option and it only gets better as he doubles up as the man behind the stumps.

2. Colin Munro for Ben Cutting

The Mumbai Indians (MI) have already got two quality openers in the form of Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock. However, there is a void, as said earlier, in the middle order. Kieron Pollard hasn’t seemed to be at his complete best in recent years.

There were quite a few instances in the last two seasons where he had to be benched. Amongst the overseas players, the Mumbai Indians haven’t got a very reliable batsman who can be flexible. Even though Colin Munro is an opener, he is capable of batting at number three or four. He has done that for New Zealand on a few instances as well.

Thus, MI might look to get him in. Instead, they can give the Delhi Capitals (DC) Ben Cutting. DC needs an all-rounder who can bat anywhere in the line-up and who is capable of smashing the ball out of the park right of the first ball he faces. Moreover, Cutting is quite a handy bowler and can provide the team with two or three overs on a consistent basis which would be great for both the parties.

3. Joe Denly for Evin Lewis

This is another option that MI might consider during the trade window. Joe Denly solves a similar purpose as Colin Munro in the earlier case. However, he doubles up as a bowler who can bowl one or two important overs every game. To add to this, Denly is an excellent fielder as well.

With the amount of competition for the overseas players, Joe Denly hasn’t got many opportunities with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Thus, he can bat at number three or four in the MI line-up. He is quite an aggressive batsman but can also hold one end tight.

KKR, in return, can get Evin Lewis. Since Sunil Narine hasn’t really performed well as an opener of late, they can have him at the top order instead. He can take up a similar role and score some quick runs along with Chris Lynn. Lewis is a game-changer and can do great damage even if he is out in the middle for a brief while.