Mumbai Indians’ masterstroke surprised even R Ashwin, and they stole the show despite spending less money
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In the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Mumbai Indians proved that winning on the field requires not just a hefty bank balance, but also a precise strategy. The five-time champions, who entered the auction with the smallest purse of ₹2.75 crore, surprised everyone when they acquired South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock for a surprisingly low price of just ₹1 crore.
Clever Strategy and Ashwin’s Praise
Former Indian legend Ravichandran Ashwin called Mumbai Indians’ acquisition the smartest move of the season. Ashwin believes that while other franchises were hesitant or busy strategizing about De Kock, Mumbai seized the opportunity and won the bid. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin sarcastically remarked that it seemed like the other teams were sleeping, and MI snatched the opportunity in the blink of an eye. According to Ashwin, Mumbai Indians are trying to replicate the magic of their 2020 championship-winning team, where De Kock played a crucial role as an opener, only this time they won’t have Ishan Kishan.
Trade Window and a Strong Squad
Mumbai Indians demonstrated their foresight not only in the auction but also during the trade window. The team had already secured experienced and match-winning players like Shardul Thakur, Sherfane Rutherford, and Mayank Markande. Ashwin emphasized that even though Mumbai’s budget on paper was ₹2.75 crore, their confidence in the auction was as if they had ₹27 crore. They had already assembled a winning squad before the auction, and De Kock’s return has now made their top order even more formidable.
Preparing for the Future and a New Squad
Besides Quinton de Kock, Mumbai Indians have also added young talents like Danish Malewar, Mohammad Izhar, Atharva Ankolekar, and Mayank Rawat to the team as an investment for the future. The inclusion of these players has strengthened the team’s bench strength and added considerable flexibility to the batting lineup. De Kock’s return, after his stellar performances for Mumbai from 2019 to 2021, has generated immense excitement among the fans. It will be interesting to see if Mumbai can achieve their dream of winning a sixth title in 2026 with this strategically strengthened squad.
