5 Players Mumbai Indians Might Retain for IPL 2018

There is no doubt about the fact that Mumbai Indians is the most sought-after franchises in the current years as they are the most successful team of IPL with three titles to their name in 10 years. Even earlier in the year, it was Mumbai Indians who defeated the Rising Pune Supergiant in the final of IPL 10 by a solitary to clinch the title for the 3^rd time. Interestingly all their title wins have come under the leadership of Rohit Sharma.

We are still a couple of months away from the auctions of IPL 11 and as per the new rules as many as 3 Indians can be retained while a couple of foreigners can be there from the core team. Mumbai Indians over the years have relied on their core group to deliver the goods for them and the coming year won’t be any different. There are certain players whom the defending champions will look to retain for the 11^th season of the tournament.

Here are five probable players whom Mumbai might retain:

Rohit Sharma

There is no doubt the fact that Rohit Sharma will be leading the Mumbai Indians in the 11^th edition of the tournament. Ever since taking over the captaincy, the fate of Mumbai Indians have changed totally, and they have ended up winning three titles in the last five years.

There is no doubt about the fact that Rohit is one of the greatest limited overs batsmen in the current generation and his exceptional stroke-making ability keeps him way above the rest. He is an effortless batsman who can smash sixes at will and make any star-studded bowling line-up look clueless.

Hardik Pandya

Hardik has made giant strides in international in the last year or so and have already become one of the most trusted players in the national team especially in the limited overs format. Pandya rose to prominence for the Mumbai Indians when he scored 9-ball 24 and smashed three sixes of Pawan Negi to win a match for the defending champions.

He was a consistent performer in the previous year, and his medium pacers have also improved since his international debut against Australia. He is an asset to any team and given his exceptional form in the recent past; the defending champions will want to retain him.

Kieron Pollard

The big man from the Caribbeans has been part of the Mumbai Indians set up from the 2^nd year, and the franchise has always tended to retain him. He is a livewire in the field and on his day can decimate any bowling line-up. Besides that, he is also a useful medium pacer who has the knack of breaking partnerships.

Despite not being consistent enough, Pollard has been a vital member of the Mumbai Indians set up. Even if he doesn’t score much or give away too many runs, Pollard can save all those in the field and pluck some stunning catches out of thin air.

Jasprit Bumrah

Now how can you not retain the No 1 T20I bowler in the world in your franchise? Bumrah has made a steady rise in the international circuit, and within a year and a half, he has already become a potent weapon in the limited overs team.

He has some exceptional Yorkers and slower deliveries up his sleeve which can constantly bamboozle top-class batsman, and that is the reason Bumrah is so effective especially in the shortest format of the game.

Jos Buttler

The Mumbai Indians would have been tempted to retain Krunal Pandya, but the rules don’t permit more than 3 Indian players to be retained which has put Jos Buttler in the frontrunner’s position to play for the Mumbai Indians for yet another year. Buttler got them off to brisk starts in the previous tournament. He wasn’t part of the final as he had to leave for national duties, but he shared a video where he was seen enjoying following Mumbai Indians 3^rd title victory.