Singaporean cricketer Tim David is one of the best finishers in world: Ambani

Ambani said that the franchise was looking for a foreign player to replace Hardik Pandya, who was released by Mumbai Indians last year.

David joined the five-time champions team after a relentless bidding from Kolkata Knight Riders.

David was part of Royal Challengers Bangalore as a replacement of Finn Allen in 2021.

"Tim is a player we've been tracking for last 2-3 years, when he was playing for associate nation. Last year he got good half-year experience with RCB which was crucial for him to know what all goes on in the IPL and at what level does one need to perform. We always believed in his skills," said Ambani at the virtual press conference.

"I think he's one of the best finishers in the world. As soon as we knew Hardik wasn't on our team sheet, we knew that slot had to go to a foreigner because there's no one in India like Hardik. So, that was an obvious choice. Pricing in the auction is not a true reflection on the skills of the player. I hope the players that we have bought don't feel the pressure of the price tag because that's all auction dynamics."

Mumbai Indians also paid Rs 8 crore for an injured England fast bowler Jofra Archer.

The futuristic strategy left everyone surprised but Ambani believes that Archer along with retained India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will form a "formidable partnership".

"We took all those considerations (injury prone) into account. Yesterday all the fast bowlers went at. So, one option became very clear that Jofra was the only marquee fast bowler left. We'd discussed his name previously as well. Of course, he's not available this year but we believe in the best of him and when he's fit and available I believe that with Bumrah he made a formidable partnership."

Mumbai Indians full squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah, Kieron Pollard, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Dewald Brevis, Basil Thampi, Murugan Ashwin, Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank Markande, N Tilak Varma, Sanjay Yadav, Jofra Archer, Daniel Sams, Tymal Mills, Tim David, Riley Meredith, Mohd Arshad Khan, Anmolpreet Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Rahul Buddhi, Hrithik Shokeen, Arjun Tendulkar, Aryan Juyal, Fabian Allen.