Mumbai Indians is one franchise that likes to hire players beyond the auction table, too. In the past, we have seen the squad add players such as Dinesh Karthik, Trent Boult and Quinton de Kock through pre-auction trade deals. However, they have so far not managed to execute a mid-season transfer deal. Nevertheless, it would not be a surprise if they become trend-setters. In this article, we take a look at five players whom Mumbai Indians can target in the mid-season transfer window.
MI have all their foreign players in the camp, and hence, they can target only Indians during this period. Batting has been a problem for the defending champions this season. This has cost them all the games they have lost so far. A look at the spin options could also be a matter for discussion for the Mumbai Indians management. Hence, the below players can be suitable options.
1. K Gowtham
K Gowtham, CSK’s costliest buy at the IPL 2021 auctions, is yet to get a game so far. As things stand, it might be hard for the all-rounder to break into the playing XI. Hence, he is eligible for a mid-season transfer.
Mumbai Indians have struggled due to a lack of power-hitting at the death. Although the out-of-form players can still make a comeback, hiring a player like K Gowtham can be useful. He can replace Krunal Pandya in the XI and provide a solid big-hitting option at No.7. The tall player is also more than handy with four overs of right-arm off-spin.
2. Kuldeep Yadav
It has been a few seasons since MI has had a formidable spin attack. Although it has served well for them so far, on the spin assisting tracks, barring Rahul Chahar, the franchise has struggled.
Hence, Kuldeep Yadav can be one player whom Mumbai Indians can target in the mid-season transfer window. The KKR player is experienced and would certainly be raring to go. He would also bring in variety to the bowling attack and bolster the squad on pitches like Delhi and Kolkata.
3. Kartik Tyagi
Kartik Tyagi has surprisingly not featured for Rajasthan Royals so far. The team’s pace attacked is stacked, and the youngster might not get a game this season. At the start of IPL, he was considered as one of the contenders to make it to the World Cup squad.
Aside from Bumrah, Mumbai’s pace attack has been at the receiving end so far. Boult is not picking wickets in the powerplay, and he is also leaking a few runs. If MI decides to play an extra domestic pacer, Kartik Tyagi could come in handy. He would be a better option than Dhawal Kulkarni, the reserve Indian pacer currently in the squad.
4. Prabhsimran Singh
The strong Mumbai Indians batting department is seeing a crack this season. Although Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma have played a few good knocks, the overall impact has been low.
Bringing in a young and in-form cricketer like Prabhsimran Singh could be a good option. He can replace Ishan Kishan for a few games, and MI can check if the batting clicks.
5. N Jagadeesan
N Jagadeesan was the best batsman in the recent domestic competitions. However, in IPL, he is yet to get a game so far. Therefore, he is eligible to be part of a mid-season transfer.
The Tamil Nadu player is one cricketer whom Mumbai Indians can target in the mid-season transfer window. He can be a suitable replacement for the likes of Ishan Kishan and even Hardik Pandya if the barren run continues. The player’s wicket-keeping abilities could also allow MI to draft Chris Lynn in place of QDK.
