IPL 2018 auctions: Mahela Jayawardene happy with Mumbai's selections

IPL 11 starts from April 7.

MI will be banking on the Rohit -Mahela combo to work again. (Hindu)

Post the IPL 2018 auctions, in an exclusive interview with Sportstar, Mumbai Head coach reveals about executing their plans at the auction table for two days. 

Mumbai left out some key players in the form of Lendl Simmons and Mitchell McClenaghan both of whom had been key to their fortunes and success in 2015 and 2017. They also decided to release Jos Buttler to spring in a surprise at the auction table. 

Post the auctions, here is how Jayawardene reacted on their buys. 

"We had a plan. It was a bit risky, but I think we executed it quite well. Earlier on, it was a frantic (period), a lot of people went for a lot of players. We knew we were not in the market at that prices, so we pulled out. Obviously, everyone knew that we would be going to RTM for Krunal (Pandya). He came in the 10th set (ninth), so we had to have money" said the MI coach about their plans which he says was a bit risky. 

Next, he kept his views on using their  RTM option for Krunal Pandya. 

"No. He had a value given the contribution he has made for us with bat and ball. We knew it was going to be a high price and we were ready because he does two jobs for us. And Hardik being in the same team, these two operate together really well."

Jayawardene agreed on the fact that they are a bit weak on wicket keeping options with only Ishan Kishan available for the role. "Ishan [Kishan] was a guy we always had in mind because even in the camp (trials), he did really well. Even as a batsman, he would have fitted into our plans really well. Jos (Buttler) is a call we had to make about the price tag as he will be unavailable next season. When we missed out on him, we went for Ishan."

He concluded the interaction saying that he had a chat before the IPL auctions and said that they were happy with their options. "We had a chat with Rohit before the Johannesburg Test as we didn’t want to disturb him after that. I had a meeting with him in Sri Lanka when the Indians were touring (last July-August). We, as a group, are quite happy with what we have achieved in the auction."

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 30 Jan, 2018

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