Mumbai Indians grabbed everyone’s attention during the IPL 2024 auction retention and releases by bringing back Hardik Pandya into the squad. They are gearing up for a solid campaign for the IPL 2024.
Mumbai Indians stand out as the top-performing and most formidable squad in the mega tournament. In the early IPL seasons, the team faced significant challenges in finding its rhythm. But ever since Rohit Sharma took the helm as captain, they’ve been an unstoppable force, and this season is proving to be no exception.
Pandya had a Mumbai Indians stint from 2015 to 2021 before being let go. He later found success with the Gujarat Titans, securing an IPL title and finishing as a runner-up.
His return to Mumbai Indians was confirmed with a salary of INR 15 crore, supplemented by an undisclosed percentage from the transfer fee MI will pay to Gujarat Titans. Surprisingly, Hardik’s INR 15 crore salary doesn’t even crack the top three among the most expensive players in Mumbai Indians’ history.
In this article, we’ll explore the list of five such high-priced players that Mumbai Indians have acquired throughout their IPL history.
1. Cameron Green – INR 17.5 crore
Cameron Green fetched a hefty price tag of 17.5 crores, making him the IPL’s second-most expensive player, just trailing Sam Curran’s 18.5 crores with Punjab Kings. MI set a new record at the IPL 2023 auction by making their most significant purchase ever, acquiring Green for 17.5 crores.
Having delivered an impressive performance in IPL 2023, Green amassed 452 runs with a striking rate of 160, including a century and two fifties, and also secured 6 wickets. Despite his stellar contributions, MI had to trade him to RCB to create space for the comeback of Hardik Pandya.
2. Rohit Sharma – 16 crore
In 2011, Mumbai Indians signed Rohit Sharma for a hefty 9.2 crores, and by 2013, he took over the reins as the team’s captain. Under Rohit’s leadership, Mumbai Indians clinched all five of their IPL titles. In the 2022 IPL season, Rohit’s salary saw a boost to INR 16 crore. While he has scored over 5000 runs for Mumbai Indians, his standout contributions lie in the five IPL trophies, creating a lasting legacy for the team.
3. Ishan Kishan – 15.25 crore
Ishan Kishan has secured a significant spot in Mumbai Indians’ future plans. With dual skills as an opener and wicket-keeper, and being a young talent, Kishan fetched an impressive bid of INR 15.25 crore during the IPL 2022 mega-auction. Despite spending four seasons with MI from 2018 to 2021 without retention, Kishan is back with the team, and this time around, it came at a hefty price.
4. Hardik Pandya – 15 crore
Mumbai Indians have welcomed Hardik Pandya back into their squad for the upcoming IPL 2024. His paycheck of INR 15 crore remains unchanged from his last two seasons with GT. However, the move to MI promises additional perks, including a substantial transfer fee and endorsement opportunities. With four titles under his belt during his seven seasons with MI, Hardik is geared up to rejoin the team and contribute to the ongoing legacy of the franchise.
Also Read: Aakash Chopra Takes Brutal Dig At Hardik Pandya
5. Jasprit Bumrah – 12 crore
Jasprit Bumrah stands out as the linchpin of the Mumbai Indians squad, arguably the player whose absence is most keenly felt. In the previous season, despite making it to the playoffs, MI fell short of reaching the final when Bumrah wasn’t in action. Since his IPL debut in 2013, Bumrah has been a consistent force for MI, securing 145 wickets and contributing to their triumph in 5 title victories alongside stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard.
