IPL 2018: 5 players Mumbai Indians should look to retain

Mumbai Indians, the most successful franchise in the history of the Indian Premier League and the defending Champions find themselves in a dilemma to opt for just 5 players to retain from the winning squad of 2017. For the next season, there is going to be an auction and the governing council has allowed the teams to retain a maximum of 5 players. The Mumbai-based franchise has a bunch of talented cricketers and few of the biggest names in world cricket amongst the ranks. Over the years, they have looked to retain the core of the side before every auction and unlike other IPL teams, they have held back most of their big players each time. This year as well, they would certainly opt to use the full quota of retention.

Here are the 5 players Mumbai Indians should retain

#1 Rohit Sharma

This one is an obvious choice. The fortunes of the franchise took a drastic turn ever since Rohit Sharma was promoted as the captain. In 2013, he took over the reigns from Ricky Ponting and then the right-hander led the side to its first ever IPL triumph. 2 years later, Mumbai Indians won again under the leadership of Rohit. In 2017, the franchise became the first side and Rohit became the first captain to win 3 titles. Apart from captaincy, his batting is an integral part of MI's scheme of things. He is side's leading run-getter and has scored 4207 runs from 159 games and is also 3rd on the list of all-time run-getters. Rohit Sharma is certainly not the one to let go.

#2 Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah is also an automatic selection, not only in the squad but also in the playing XI of any T20 side in the world. The No.1 T20I bowler in the world possesses extraordinary skills for the shortest format of the game. His accurate yorkers and slower ones make it almost impossible for the batsmen to score runs off him. The pacer has won so many matches for Mumbai Indians single-handedly bowling at the death. He is Rohit's trusted bowler at any stage of the game and a certainty to be retained. In 2017, he ended up as the third highest wicket-taker with 20 scalps and played a pivotal role in the triumph of the side.

#3 Hardik Pandya

Recently, there were talks of Hardik Pandya willing to put himself in the auction to test his worth but Mumbai Indians would leave no stones unturned in trying to hold him back. The talented all-rounder has taken the world by storm with his sheer abilities with the bat and bowl. The 24-year-old is a prominent fixture in all 3 formats for India but IPL is where it all started for him. He rose amongst the ranks while representing MI in 2015. Since then, he kept climbing the ladder of success and now is a valuable asset for the side. He can bat at any stage of the game and can be trusted to bowl at any stage as well. Hardik Pandya is certainly the one watch out for in the coming seasons.

#4 Krunal Pandya

The other half of the Pandya-brothers has also impressed one and all with his all-round skills. Even though his younger brother is earning a name in international cricket, Krunal is also capable of reaching great heights. His left-arm spin combined with his steady batting in the middle-order make him a valuable pick for the T20 format. His most notable contribution came in the final of the IPL 2017 where he scored 47 runs off 38 balls and bailed the side out of trouble to take them to a fighting 129/8. Mumbai went on to win the game as Rising Pune Supergiant lost the match by 1 run. Krunal, for his gritty knock, was adjudged the Man of the Match.

#5 Mitchell McClenaghan

A couple of years back, the Mumbai Indians' bowling attack was led by Lasith Malinga but in the recent times, the prowess of the Sri Lankan pacer has diminished considerably. But that hasn't hurt MI too much as the Kiwi pacer Mitchell McClenaghan has filled up for Malinga big time. He picked up 17 wickets last year and ended up as the leading wicket-taker for his side. In 2017, he bagged 19 wickets and finished as the 4th highest wicket-taker in the league and the second highest for MI, only behind Bumrah. Malinga's poor form may not give him a place in the side this year and that elevates the case of McClenaghan.

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IPL 2018: 5 players Mumbai Indians should look to retain

#3 Hardik Pandya