Franchises like PBKS and SRH have 30 to 40 cr at their disposal. No chance that MI get any of the marquee players like that, especially all rounders of them all.
I'm still confused as to why everyone seems to be reiterating this point.
Here are the overseas blokes that will play for these two sides for sure..
SRH
Markram
Phillips
Jansen (very likely)
PK
Bairstow
Rabada
Livingstone
Even if SRH doesn't play Jansen, they need a wicket-keeper and it is unlikely that they will go without a single overseas bowler in any case despite having a strong domestic attack. Punjab will always play the above mentioned trio and also have Rajapaksa and Ellis to contend with. Both of these sides can afford to splash the money on one all-rounder and nab them for sure. It's unlikely they'll go for two or all three.
MI have the fourth highest purse in the auction. Delhi and Gujarat don't have particular need of Curran's services which means they'll only have to contend with Preity's craze for him and CSK's desperation for him to return home. I don't think LSG need him either, they'll perhaps make a token bid or two to jack up the price in order to keep other teams honest. I understand not believing in the side getting a marquee player if you have the purse of a KKR or RCB but MI have plenty of money to splash on a player that will boost their side tremendously. I don't think them releasing the likes of Mills, Sams and Meredith was a coincidence either, they wanted to free up money for targetting Curran. He's also a part of their sister franchise in the SA20 league which will only make them more interested.