The franchise has retained a core group of 11 players led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur and will enter the mini-auction, scheduled to take place in Kochi on October 28, with a purse of Rs 1 crore.
“The best thing for the Mumbai Indians is that they head into the auction with the least money, which means the least problems. They have retained their core group but need to sort out a few issues. One major issue is their opening pair,” Reema told Jio Star.
Mumbai struggled to settle on a consistent opening combination during the previous season. G. Kamalini opened alongside Hayley Matthews before Amelia Kerr was also tried at the top of the order. The franchise subsequently released Kamalini, leaving it with a wicketkeeper-batter vacancy to address at the auction.
“Last season, G. Kamalini opened with Hayley Matthews, and then Amelia Kerr was tried as an opener as well. They kept changing their opening pair, and now they head into the auction looking to solve that. By letting go of G Kamalini, they lost their wicketkeeper-batter, and they also let go of Saika Ishaque, so they are on the hunt for a spinner to partner Vaishnavi Sharma,” Reema added.
Reema believes Sushma Verma could help Mumbai address more than one requirement. She pointed to the wicketkeeper-batter's performances in domestic cricket and the Women's Caribbean Premier League, while also highlighting her participation in trials conducted by the Mumbai Indians team management.
“To solve the problem of an opening batter who can keep wickets, the Mumbai Indians should go after Sushma Verma. She had an amazing domestic season with the bat and performed well in the Women's Caribbean Premier League too. Plus, she was called for trials by the MI team management, and I feel Mumbai is going to go big for Sushma Verma in the mini-auction,” she said.
Reema also expressed confidence that Mumbai would continue to back all-rounder Amanjot Kaur, who is recovering from a back injury at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. She described Amanjot as an important part of the team and argued that her all-round abilities make her difficult to replace.
“Mumbai Indians will surely back Amanjot Kaur as an all-rounder. She's a three-dimensional player and someone who is not replaceable. She's been the star of the team for the last two seasons, so I see no reason for her exclusion from the team,” Reema said.
Another player expected to remain in contention for a place in the Playing XI is Sajeevan Sajana, given Mumbai's investment in her over the past three years. However, Reema indicated that the franchise could consider alternatives if it finds a dynamic finisher or an Indian batter capable of taking on that role.
She identified Shweta Sehrawat as a potential option after her release by UP Warriorz, citing her performances in domestic cricket.
“They have invested a lot in S. Sajana over the last three years, so she is likely to retain her spot in the Playing XI unless they pick a dynamic finisher or an Indian batter who can replace her, and that could be Shweta Sehrawat. She had a good domestic season, and UP Warriorz have released her this time. So, Mumbai will keep an eye on her as well,” Reema said.
Mumbai have already strengthened their pace-bowling resources by trading USA left-arm pacer Tara Norris from UP Warriorz for WPL 2027 at her existing fee of Rs 10 lakh. Norris, who was previously part of MI London, became the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul in the WPL.
Despite welcoming Norris's arrival, Reema warned that Mumbai should not rely solely on the pacer to deliver wickets consistently throughout the season. She stressed the need to recruit an Indian fast bowler who could provide cover in case Norris suffers an injury or struggles to maintain her wicket-taking form.
“Tara Norris' arrival is good news for Mumbai Indians because it strengthens their pace-bowling unit. She was the first bowler to pick up a five-wicket haul in the WPL, and her bowling skills will help Mumbai a lot. But if Tara Norris picks up an injury or doesn't find that wicket-taking form, then Mumbai will be in trouble,” she said.
“Which is why I want them to go after an Indian pacer who can step up if things don't go as planned with Tara Norris,” she added.
Reema believes Mumbai's limited auction purse makes young Indian pacers a practical target as the franchise looks to add depth to its bowling attack. A domestic fast bowler capable of operating in both the powerplay and at the death would provide the team with an additional option if its plans involving Norris do not work out.
“If Mumbai get a young Indian pacer, then they will have a proper backup option who can bowl in the powerplay and at the death, and that will give them more depth in their pace attack,” she said.
With the WPL 2027 season scheduled to run from January 14 to February 7, Mumbai Indians face the task of addressing their opening, wicketkeeping and bowling requirements at the October 28 auction in Kochi while working with a purse of Rs 1 crore.
About The Author
Comment List