New Delhi: After a disappointing 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign, where they finished at the bottom of the table (10th), Mumbai Indians will look to rediscover their winning formula under the leadership of all-rounder Hardik Pandya. As the joint most successful franchise in IPL history, sharing a record five titles with Chennai Super Kings, they’re determined to reassert their dominance in this edition of the IPL.
MI’s 2024 season was marred by controversy, including a rocky leadership transition from Rohit Sharma to Hardik Pandya and reports of internal strife. However, the past year has brought redemption, as both Sharma and Pandya played pivotal roles in India’s back-to-back International Cricket Council (ICC) trophy victories.
Suryakumar Yadav will lead the team in their opening match against the Chennai Super Kings on 23 March as Hardik will miss it as he will serve a one-match ban for his repeated over-rate offences last year.
Strong suits
MI’s biggest strength over the years has been their quality Indian core, including Rohit, Hardik, Suryakumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Tilak Verma, among others. Retaining this core has been key, given the IPL’s four-overseas-player limit, and it remains a significant advantage going into the 2025 season.
The team has an explosive top-order batting lineup. Since IPL 2023, Rohit, Tilak and Suryakumar have combined for a strike rate of 150.62, scoring at 9.04 runs per over.
MI’s scouting team hit it out of the park once more, snagging exciting young talents Ryan Rickelton (of South Africa) and batter and wicketkeeper Robin Minz, both known for their explosive hitting abilities.
The squad is further bolstered by the return of Kiwi speedster Trent Boult, adding depth to the fast bowling alongside experienced campaigner Deepak Chahar. They also acquired English power-hitter Will Jacks, renowned for his explosive hitting, as seen in his unbeaten 100 off 41 deliveries for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Gujarat Titans in 2024.
To strengthen their spin attack, MI brought in New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner and Afghanistan off-spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman, while retaining Karn Sharma’s leg spin services to form a well-rounded spin contingent.
Vulnerabilities
Injury concerns loom large for Mumbai Indians. Their frontline bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, will miss the initial games as he recovers from an injury that forced him to sit out India’s triumphant Champions Trophy campaign.
“We’ll have to wait or find an opportunity for someone else to step up. That’s how I see it. It gives us an element of trying a few things and see how things work. The early part of the season allows us to do that,” Mumbai Indians’ head coach Mahela Jayawardene had said about Bumrah’s unavailability.
Bumrah’s absence has compelled Mumbai Indians to reassess their bowling strategy. With Boult and Chahar being primarily powerplay bowlers, MI lacks proven T20 experience in the death overs. Their injury woes deepened with overseas signings A.M. Ghazanfar and Lizaad Williams ruled out. They’ve been replaced by Mujeeb ur Rahman and Corbin Bosch, respectively.
Additionally, captain Hardik Pandya had a disappointing 2024 season, with a win percentage of just 28.7 percent, the lowest for a MI captain in history, a record he’ll be eager to improve.
Mumbai Indians IPL 2025 squad:
Hardik Pandya (c), Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav, Trent Boult, Naman Dhir, Robin Minz, Karn Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, Deepak Chahar, Will Jacks, Ashwani Kumar, Mitchell Santner, Reece Topley, Shrijith Krishnan, Raj Angad Bawa, Venkat Satyanarayana Raju, Bevon Jacobs, Arjun Tendulkar, Vignesh Puthhur, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Corbin Bosch
Tentative Twelve
Rohit Sharma
Ryan Rickelton
Tilak Varma
Suryakumar Yadav
Hardik Pandya (C)
Robin Minz
Naman Dhir
Mitchell Santner
Deepak Chahar
Corbin Bosch / Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Karn Sharma
Impact Player: Trent Boult
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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