With the 17th edition of IPL commencing on 22nd March, many cricket fanatics eagerly anticipate an intense and exciting summer cricketing clash between the Indian cities and states. The Mumbai Indians squad for the upcoming edition has primarily focused on revamping with the elements of young and emerging players that could benefit their future goals and aspirations.

With the team making a significant change of their five-time champions captain, Rohit Sharma, and giving the responsibility to Hardik Pandya, it is evident that the team is up to something about their plans. So, here is a list of the top four players to check out from the Mumbai Indians squad.

Hardik Pandya

From a long run of rumours and speculations, Hardik Pandya shifted from his previous squad, Gujarat Titans, to his first franchise, Mumbai Indians, in an all-cash deal of INR 15 Crore. Though many cricket fanatics were amused by the decision to make him the team’s captain, Hardik Pandya could be the significant initiator in the plans of Mumbai Indians. Recently getting prone to injuries, Pandya is set to make a robust comeback as the team’s jack of all trades. In his 139-match IPL stint, he has made 2309 runs and scalped 53 wickets.

Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma has risen ever since his inclusion in the Mumbai Indians squad from the 2022 edition. With his ability to take the game deep and enhance their middle-order batting capacity, he became one of the top run-scorers in the team. After back-to-back solid seasons, he earned his maiden T20I call-up for the series against West Indies, where he didn’t disappoint with the bat. His ability to switch gears alongside his useful off-breaks makes him a premium product in the arsenal’s setup. In his IPL career, he has made 740 runs in just 25 innings, with a commendable average of 38.95.

See also: IPL 2024: Top 4 Chennai Super Kings players to be in focus

Gerald Coetzee

Gerald Coetzee, the South African quick gun, was one of Mumbai Indians’ initial auction choices for Rs 5 crore, with a base price of Rs 2 crore. Coetzee played four T20Is and collected six wickets. He played his last 20-over match against India in 2023. The five-time winners are well-known for their fast bowling, which the club is working hard to enhance for the IPL 2024. The Proteas pacer will support Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Madhwal, and Jason Behrendoff’s pace attack. The highlights of his first IPL season will be his quick pace and wicket-scalping technique in crucial moments.

Dilshan Madhushanaka

The Mumbai Indians spent Rs 4.6 crore on Sri Lanka’s left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka as their second pacer buy at the recent auction. In 14 T20 matches, the seamer has 14 wickets at an average of 30.93. It’s not unexpected that the addition of Sri Lankan pacer and South African quickie Gerald Coetzee has enhanced the Mumbai Indians’ pace-bowling department, which already has Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Madhwal, and Jason Behrendoff, to name a few. With this player’s debut, the five-time champion bowling team will become one of the tournament’s strongest.

The Indian Premier League has become a gateway to execution and the display of impeccable cricketing talent. It is not a lie that we have seen many top and prominent players making a mark amongst the cricket fanatics, thanks to this cash-rich and massive fanbase tournament. Be it for a domestic player creating a breakthrough in the Indian team space or a foreign player making their fanbase amongst the Indian fanbase.

As it implies, the auctions in December have seen some intriguing additions to the IPL family, and they would create an impact in giving an excellent kickstart to their IPL stint. This listicle will look at the top four debutants to watch out for in the upcoming IPL 2024 edition.

Rachin Ravindra- Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings, the reigning five-time champions, have signed all-rounder Rachin Ravindra for Rs 1.8 crore. In his T20I career, he has scored only 146 runs in 19 innings at an average of 13.18 and taken 11 wickets. Rachin Ravindra distinguished out for New Zealand at the recent World Cup 2023 tournament.

Ravindra took full use of his place up the order, scoring three three-digit figures for a total of 565 runs, the most by any batter making his World Cup debut. And with Devon Conway being ruled out for most of the tournament due to a significant thumb injury for the next two months, Rachin Ravindra can fill up the boots of a vacant opening partner with Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Gerald Coetzee- Mumbai Indians

Gerald Coetzee, a South African quickgun, joined the Mumbai Indians for Rs 5 crore. Coetzee had a base price of Rs 2 crore. Coetzee played four T20Is and took six wickets. He played his final 20-over match against India in 2023. The five-time winners are well-known for their excellent speed bowling, and the team is working hard to improve it for the IPL 2024.

The Proteas pacer will assist Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Madhwal, and Hardik Pandya’s pace attack. The highlights of his maiden IPL season will be his rapid pace and wicket-scalping technique in essential situations.

See Also: 5 players with most runs In IPL ft Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

Dilshan Madhushanaka- Mumbai Indians

In the IPL 2024 auction, the Mumbai Indians spent Rs 4.6 crore for Sri Lanka’s left-arm fast Dilshan Madushanka. In 14 T20 matches, the seamer has taken 14 wickets at an average of 30.93.

It is hardly surprising that the arrival of the Sri Lankan pacer and South African quickie Gerald Coetzee has improved the Mumbai Indians’ pace-bowling department, which already has Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Madhwal, and Jason Behrendoff, to mention a few. This player’s debut will make the five-time champion bowling team one of the strongest in the tournament.

Shamar Joseph- Lucknow Super Giants

Though he has got his name in the IPL ecosystem as a replacement for Mark Wood from the Lucknow Super Giants, Shamar Joseph did the talking with the ball after his brilliant and memorable performance for the Carribean side against the Aussies. Joseph made his West Indies debut in the drawn series against Australia, dismissing Steven Smith with his first ball in Test cricket, which the team lost in Adelaide.

He became a worldwide sensation when, despite an ailing foot, he claimed seven wickets in the final innings to lead West Indies to a stunning eight-run victory at the Gabba in the second Test. It was West Indies’ first Test victory in Australia since 1997. As his performance suggests, it is not surprising to see Shamar Joseph being the major contributor in the LSG’s bowling attack and, of course, an IPL debutant to check out for.