IPL Auction is one of the biggest events in the calendar of cricket. Along with the IPL season, the cricketers and the cricket fans have their eyes on the IPL Auction because that is where the cricketers learn which team they will play for and how much money they will earn.
Similarly, at IPL Auction, the fans come to know if their favorite player will be playing for their favorite IPL team or not. Sometimes the teams have broken the bank to gain the services of one player, but it does not come out to be fruitful.
On a few occasions, the franchise does not invest much, but they give the players enough chances to prove themselves. However, not every player can capitalize on the opportunities that they get.
Like every franchise, the most successful IPL team Mumbai Indians have also had a few unfruitful signings at the auction. Here’s a list of six such players.
6. Richard Levi
Many IPL fans would remember the South African opener Richard Levi. He came into the spotlight after some brilliant performances for the Proteas in the game’s shortest format.
As a result, the Mumbai Indians signed him for the 2012 IPL season. While Levi won the Man of the Match award on debut, he ended up with only 33 runs in the next five matches. Soon, MI dropped him and then released him.
5. One of the few uncapped overseas players to have been a part of MI in IPL – Dominic Thornely
A few fans might be surprised to know that uncapped Australian player Dominic Thornely played for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2008. He played six matches for the team.
However, he could only score 39 runs in six matches. Although his economy rate with the ball was 5.71, Thornely could not make the difference he was expected to make.
4. David Jacobs
Another South African opener to feature on this list is David Jacobs. The Indian fans would know Jacobs because of his performance in CLT20.
Jacobs could even keep the wickets for the team. In total, he played seven matches for Mumbai from 2011 to 2012, scoring only 92 runs at a strike rate of 93.88.
3. One of the few uncapped overseas players to have been a part of MI in IPL – Aiden Blizzard
The Mumbai Indians had signed an uncapped Aussie opener named Aiden Blizzard in 2011. Blizzard played two seasons for the team.
He could only score 120 runs in seven matches for MI at an average of 17.14. His highest score in those seven games was 51.
2. Luke Ronchi
Former New Zealand wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi played two IPL seasons. He was a part of the Mumbai Indians in both seasons.
Ronchi represented the Mumbai-based franchise in 2008 and 2009. He scored only 34 runs in five matches at a disappointing average of 6.80.
1. Aaron Finch
Aaron Finch has played for almost every team in IPL. He earned a contract from the Mumbai Indians in the 2015 IPL season.
Finch played only three games that year, scoring 23 runs at a strike rate of 69.70. Unfortunately, the current Australian cricket team captain picked up an injury midway and could not play for MI.
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