Mumbai Indians who won the IPL in 2020 is the most successful franchise in the history of the IPL as they have won five titles in 13 years. In fact, they won their first IPL title in 2013 which means they have won five titles in eight years. The reason for their success is the strong team which they have built over the years. They have the star Indian players and great overseas players but one thing which they do try and get is raw Indian talent.
Mumbai Indians have always made the extra effort in picking good Indian talent, especially local talent. The local players will know a lot more about the ground conditions and how to play at the Wankhede Stadium and that’s the MI team has a lot of players who play for Mumbai in the domestic competitions. Having said that, there are a few Mumbai players who haven’t played for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. So, let’s have a look at five such players.
5. Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube first came into the limelight when he smashed the veteran leg-spinner Pravin Tambe for five sixes in an over in the Mumbai T20 league. He was suddenly the talk of the town and everybody wanted him in the IPL Auction. RCB picked him in the 2019 IPL Auction when many other teams went after him.
Dube is an all-rounder who has been part of the Mumbai side in the domestic competitions. He is a fearsome hitter lower down the order and can bowl some medium pace overs. Dube still hasn’t played for Mumbai Indians in the IPL but things might change in the next year’s Mega Auction when RCB will find it difficult to retain many players.
4. Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan has played for a couple of teams at the domestic level. He started his career with Mumbai but then played for Uttar Pradesh and now is back again with the Mumbai team. He scored a triple century in the last Ranji Trophy season.
Sarfaraz Khan was a part of the RCB team alongside the likes of Kohli, De Villiers, and Chris Gayle. He was retained in a Mega Auction which was a surprising move but a year later he was released when Kings XI Punjab picked him in the Auction. Since 2018, Khan has been part of the KXIP squad and has never played for MI in the IPL.
3. Shardul Thakur
The Mumbai Pacer who got a chance in the fourth Test against Australia has been a great performer for his domestic side across formats. He picks up wickets for Mumbai in all forms whenever he plays for them. Thakur was first picked up by Kings XI Punjab in the IPL where he got only one game.
Rising Pune Supergiant gave him more opportunities as he played 12 games for them. The presence of MS Dhoni in the RPS team helped him get to play under Dhoni as CSK picked him in the 2018 Auction. CSK looks happy with his performances and so there is a high chance that he will keep playing in the yellow franchise which means he won’t be part of the MI team anytime soon.
2. Prithvi Shaw
The young batsman from Mumbai who scored 546 runs in a Harris Shield Match has been a sensational performer for Mumbai at the domestic level. He scores a lot of runs in all formats, especially red-ball cricket. He was the captain of the India U19 team which won the World Cup in 2018.
After a good U19 World, Delhi Capitals picked him in the 2018 Mega Auction and he has been in that team since 2018. He hasn’t had a great season for Delhi Capitals and they might think of releasing him if not this year then at least next year. Shaw hasn’t played for Mumbai Indians but they might target him in the Mega Auction.
1. Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer came into the limelight after a great domestic season for Mumbai and then Delhi Capitals bought him in that year’s auction. Since 2015, Shreyas Iyer has gone from strength to strength and he is the captain of his franchise. Mumbai Indians who are known for finding talent perhaps missed out on a local one but with so many options you tend to miss out on one.
Delhi Capitals have settled with a captain and their franchise has started doing well so there is no way that Iyer will be seen in the MI colors for the next 4-5 years until something changes drastically.
