5 players Mumbai Indians need to sign to win IPL 2019

Mumbai Indians had an extremely disappointing IPL 2018 campaign by their lofty standards, failing to even qualify for the playoffs. Many of their star players, including the likes of Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard and Evin Lewis failed to fire on a regular basis and the team management have a lot to ponder ahead of the next season of the competition.

Mumbai are the joint most successful team in the history of the IPL, having lifted the trophy on three occasions and it came as a massive shock when they collapsed meekly without a real fight this time around. They had a strong squad on paper but could not translate that into victories on the field.

However, there are a number of players they could look to bring in to strengthen the core of the side in order to be competitive again next season. Here is a look at five players Mumbai Indians should look to sign ahead of IPL 2019:

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#5 Dale Steyn

Hampshire v Yorkshire Vikings - Royal London One-Day Cup Semi Final

Dale Steyn has battled injuries in the last couple of years, losing a yard of pace in the process. However, he still remains one of the most lethal bowlers in world cricket and also one of the most accurate.

Steyn remained unsold in the 2018 auctions at a base price of INR 1 crore, but he is slowly returning to full fitness and if he can stay healthy, he will be sure to start a bidding war next season.

Steyn has valuable IPL experience, having played for the likes of Royal Challengers Bangalore, Deccan Chargers and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the past. In his IPL career thus far, he has picked up 92 wickets in 90 matches at an economy of 6.72.

Mumbai Indians lacked a wicket-taking bowler at times this past season, with Mitchell McClenaghan not really lighting the IPL on fire. Steyn could be the ideal player to step into his shoes and provide the side with early breakthroughs.

#4 Moises Henriques

BBL - Sixers v Thunder

Henriques has always flown under the radar in the T20 format. He is a more than handy batsman, capable of accelerating as the innings progresses, and can also chip in with a few useful overs.

Mumbai Indians used their RTM on Kieron Pollard and that backfired massively as he looked woefully out of touch with the bat. He also did not bowl any overs, meaning he was more of a liability than an asset. Mumbai should look to offload him next season and rope in Henriques.

The Australian has represented Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore amongst other teams in the past and averages 28 with the bat with a strike rate of 128 from 57 matches in the IPL thus far.

#3 Samuel Badree

2017 HERO Caribbean Premier League - St Kitts and Nevis v Barbados Tridents

A rather surprising name on this list, Badree is not really the player you think of when it comes to match-winners. However, he is one of the most economical and accurate bowlers in the shortest format of the game.

Mumbai Indians unearthed Mayank Markande this past season, but he went off the boil after the first half of the season and they had to rely on Krunal Pandya to deliver with the ball. They lacked a real wicket-taking spinner who could keep the batsmen guessing.

Badree has often been used in the powerplays to great success. His economy rate in T20Is is a shade over 6 which is stunning in this era of big bats and short boundaries.

Badree could make Mumbai Indians a force to be reckoned with once again.

#2 Martin Guptill

CRICKET-NZL-ENG

It came as a massive surprise when Martin Guptill went unsold in the 2018 auctions, considering the fact that he is one of the best limited-overs cricketers going around. He has the ability to strike massive sixes once he gets going and has consistently performed for New Zealand over the years.

Evin Lewis failed more often than not for Mumbai at the top of the order and did not live up to expectations. This put a lot of pressure on the middle order which crumbled, leading to a number of defeats for Rohit Sharma's side. With Guptill at the top of the order, he could get them off to quick starts and put the pressure on the bowlers from the get-go.

#1 Joe Root

England v Australia - 1st Vitality International T20

Joe Root was one of many Englishmen who failed to find any takers in the auctions. Root has never featured in the IPL till date which is quite surprising considering his ability to play spin well.

Root is one of the most bankable players in world cricket at the moment. If he is indeed roped in by Mumbai, he could slot in at No. 4 which would allow Rohit Sharma to open the innings and not worry about stabilising the middle order which he tried to do rather unsuccessfully last season.

Root has the ability to switch gears at will. He averages 39 in T20Is and strikes at 128, commendable numbers indeed.