WPL 2027: Seema Malhotra On Why MI Should Go For Sushma Verma

Speaking on JioStar’s Game Plan, JioStar expert Reema Malhotra shared her thoughts on MI’s auction plans and why Sushma Verma should be their target at the mini-auction:

“The best thing for Mumbai Indians is that they head into the auction with the least money, which means the least problems. They have retained their core group but need to sort out a few problems. One major problem is their opening pair. Last season, G Kamalini opened with Hayley Matthews, then Amelia Kerr was tried as an opener as well. They kept changing their opening pair, and now they head into the auction looking to solve that. By letting go of G Kamalini, they lost their wicketkeeper batter, and they let go of Saika Ishaque too, so they are also on the hunt for a spinner to partner Vaishnavi Sharma. To solve the problem of an opening batter who can keep wickets, Mumbai Indians should go after Sushma Verma. She had an amazing domestic season with the bat and performed well in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League too. Plus, she was called for trials by the MI team management, and I feel Mumbai are going to go big for Sushma Verma in the mini-auction.”

On MI’s all-round options:

“Mumbai Indians will surely back Amanjot Kaur as the all-rounder. She’s a three-dimensional player and someone who’s not replaceable. She’s been the star of the team for the last two seasons, so I find no reason for her exclusion from the team. They have invested a lot in S Sajana over the last three years, so she is likely to retain her spot in the playing XI, unless they pick a dynamic finisher or an Indian batter who can replace her, which can be Shweta Sehrawat. She had a good domestic season and UP Warriorz have released her this time. So, Mumbai will keep an eye on her as well.”

On the need for an Indian pacer:

“Tara Norris’ arrival is good news for Mumbai Indians because it strengthens their pace bowling unit. She was the first bowler to pick up a five-wicket haul in the WPL and her bowling skills will help Mumbai a lot. But if Tara Norris picks up an injury or doesn’t find that wicket-taking form, then Mumbai will be in trouble. Which is why I want them to go after an Indian pacer who can step up if things don’t go as planned with Tara Norris. They have called up a lot of young players for selection trials, and young names don’t fetch too much money in mini auctions, which benefits Mumbai because they are entering the auction with a purse of just 90 lakh rupees. Plus, the players they have on the bench, Nic Carey is there, she can step up too, but she’s a better batter than a bowler. So, if Mumbai get a young Indian pacer, then they will have a proper backup option who can bowl in the powerplay and at the death, and that will give them more depth in their pace attack.”

On the areas UPW need to address ahead of the TATA WPL 2027 auction:

“UP Warriorz have retained Pratika Rawal, which means she’s in their scheme of things, but I wouldn’t want Pratika to open the innings because she has a similar playing style to Meg Lanning. Both take their time to get going, which would hurt the Warriorz because two players of a similar style should not open together. Then comes Phoebe Litchfield at number three, but if you make her open and let Pratika bat at three, that would not work either because after her come Harleen Deol and Deepti Sharma, and both are similar style of players as Pratika, so that option is closed too. So, UP Warriorz need an Indian opener who bats aggressively and has that attacking intent from the first ball. Apart from that, between Harleen and Deepti, you need one more big-hitter. Another problem they need to address is that of a wicketkeeper. Yes, Phoebe Litchfield can keep wickets, but having an Indian wicketkeeping option is always beneficial, and someone like G Kamalini would be a perfect option for UPW.”

On the pressure on UP Warriorz to build a settled team:

“When you have the biggest purse for three years continuously, that means that means your think tank is still not able to pick the right players. Along with head coach Abhishek Nayar, the scouting team will also be under pressure to identify the right players to help settle the team. Gujarat Giants did that last season and sorted their issues, and now UP Warriorz need to do the same if they want things to work out this season. For that, you have to pick the right players, invest in those who will stick with you, be a part of your core, and can play around Meg Lanning, because UP Warriorz are building a team around her. So, they need to be extremely sure about what style of players they want. They also need to make the most of their auction purse. You have to show faith in the players you’re picking. If they keep chopping and changing, they will never find the stability a franchise needs to win titles. “

Catch all the action from TATA WPL 2027 Mini-Auction on October 28, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network