How Mumbai Indians' talent scout works – bringing in players like Ashwani Kumar?

Mumbai Indians (MI) have long been one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), not only because of their on-field brilliance but also their accurate scouting system. Over the years, MI has developed a world-class talent scouting program that has consistently nurtured young, promising talents who have become superstars in international cricket. Their method of identifying young players has set the benchmark for other franchises, leading to other teams now having one of their own.

Over the years, apart from relying solely on buying players in the IPL auction, the Mumbai Indians have invested heavily in their scouting network. This operates year-round, closely monitoring domestic and international tournaments to identify raw talent with potential. The scouting team does not just look at numbers but also evaluates the player's temperament and ability to handle pressure.

For IPL 2025, MI’s scouting team once again worked hard to bring in exciting new talents. One of their latest finds is Ashwani Kumar, who had a dream IPL debut against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium. The left-arm pacer picked up four crucial wickets and was named Player of the Match. Kumar made his way into MI through their tough scouting system. After impressing in the Sher E Punjab T20 Trophy, where he displayed his death-over bowling, the franchise picked him up for INR 30 lakh in the IPL 2025 auction. Having previously played a handful of matches for Punjab in domestic cricket, Ashwani grabbed his IPL opportunity with both hands.

Another promising find for this season has been Kerala's Vignesh Puthur, a left-arm wrist-spinner who displayed his skills against Chennai Super Kings by picking three wickets on debut. Despite the team losing the match, his performance stood out and earned praise from experts. Puthur was first spotted by former India pacer TA Sekar. Despite not having played domestic cricket for Kerala, his talent was seen at the trials, earning him an IPL contract for INR 30 lakh. Vignesh's ability impressed the MI think tank and was sent to South Africa, where he trained with MI Cape Town batters to hone his skills.

Meanwhile, the five-time champions heavily invest in foreign talents, one such instance being New Zealand's middle-order batter, Bevon Jacobs, who grabbed eyeballs after his performances in the Super Smash 2023-24. With a strike rate of 188.73 for Canterbury Kings, Jacobs displayed his power-hitting ability, making him an ideal fit for the finishing role. Originally from South Africa, Jacobs's approach attracted the attention of John Wright, who further recommended his name.

Mumbai Indians' process of scouting talent

MI’s scouting process starts with a thorough evaluation of young and upcoming players in various domestic tournaments, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Ranji Trophy. Former cricketers and talent scouts such as Kiran More, Abey Kuruvila, TA Sekar, Parthiv Patel, and John Wright have been part of this process. These experts keep a close watch on upcoming cricketers and follow their performances for multiple seasons before recommending them for trials.

Once a player is identified, MI’s data team further analyzes their performances, studying aspects like strike rate, bowling variations, fitness levels, and mental strengths. The shortlisted players are then invited to MI’s training camps, where they undergo assessment under the supervision of the head coach, Director of Cricket Operations, and senior players.

Also Read: Best bowling figures on IPL debut by Indians

The final phase involves approval from the leadership group, including the captain and owners. Only when a player passes all these checks does MI go ahead with signing them. Over the years, the Mumbai franchise has played an important role in kick-starting the careers of several Indian cricketing superstars, including Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Tilak Varma, and many more.

Other franchises like Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Delhi Capitals have now made their own scouting programs and academies. However, none have matched MI’s consistency in finding world-class players. With so much experience, MI's scouting structure remains a step ahead due to its network, the presence of former international cricketers in key roles, and a data-driven approach to player analysis.