IPL 2020 Auction: 5 players Mumbai Indians (MI) can target

Mumbai Indians became the most successful IPL franchise after Rohit Sharma-led team got the better of MS Dhoni and Co by 1 run in a thriller IPL 2019 final. The four-time IPL champions will be looking forward to a good season under the tutelage of Rohit Sharma.

The franchise, however, has released as many as 12 players, which includes notable names like Yuvraj Singh, Adam Milne, Jason Behrendorff, Beuran Hendricks and Ben Cutting. Going into this December 19 mega auction for the 2020 edition, Mumbai Indians has the option of filling up slots for 5 domestic and 2 foreign players.

Retained players:

Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Krunal Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Surya Kumar Yadav, Rahul Chahar, Anmolpreet Singh, Jayant Yadav, Aditya Tare, Anukul Roy, Dhawal Kulkarni (Traded in), Quinton de Kock, Kieron Pollard, Sherfane Rutherford (Traded in), Lasith Malinga, Mitchell McClenaghan, Trent Boult (Traded in).

Released players:

Evin Lewis, Adam Milne, Jason Behrendorff, Beuran Hendricks, Ben Cutting, Yuvraj Singh, Mayank Markande (Traded out), Barinder Sran, Rasikh Salam, Pankaj Jaswal, Siddhesh Lad (Traded out), Alzarri Joseph.

Here are the five players whom Mumbai Indians will be targeting at  IPL 2020 Auction:

Tom Banton

Among all the bright prospects in the modern era, England’s Tom Banton is viewed as the T20 batting phenomenon of 2019. He may be 21 years old but has already impressed big franchises across the world with his incredible six-hitting ability. The young man made his T20I debut against New Zealand following an exceptional One-Day tournament and a sterling T20 Blast season.

He might not have upped his ante in three games scoring 18, 31 and 7 but based on the prima facie case of batting exploits in the domestic arena, one can come to a firm conclusion that a batsman like Tom Banton can be the next big thing in the limited-overs cricket.

Banton had recently signed for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League. He had also played for Qalandars in the Abu Dhabi T10 League. He showcased his mettle on the pitch by scoring two fifties. He hit the peak performance when he chipped in with a staggering 28-ball 80 against Karnataka Tuskers.

The batting sensational had earlier told that his playing in the IPL has been a dream from a very young age. He expressed his delight after knowing that he is in the IPL auction this year. He went on to add saying that he has been a massive fan of Mumbai Indians. The capped international set his base price at INR 1 crore.