IPL 2025 Auction: 3 Key Players Mumbai Indians (MI) Might Target with RTM Card

As the five-time IPL champions, Mumbai Indians (MI) face a crucial IPL 2025 season with ambitions to recapture their winning momentum. Despite being one of the most successful franchises, MI has experienced a recent downturn, finishing near the bottom in two of the last three IPL seasons.

As the franchise looks to end this drought, they’ve strategically retained their core stars, including Jasprit Bumrah at INR 18 crores and influential players like Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, and Tilak Varma. Entering the IPL 2025 mega auction with a solid INR 45 crore budget, MI also holds a valuable Right To Match (RTM) card. With this RTM, the franchise can reclaim an uncapped player, giving them a chance to build depth in their squad and boost their chances of winning.

3 Key Players Mumbai Indians (MI) Might Target with RTM Card

1. Piyush Chawla – The Veteran Leg-Spinner

The experienced Piyush Chawla has been a standout performer for Mumbai Indians over the past two IPL seasons. Acquired for just INR 50 lakhs in 2023, Chawla quickly proved his worth, taking 35 wickets across 27 games. His ability to break partnerships and control the game’s pace in the middle overs made him indispensable, guiding MI to the playoffs in 2023.

Interestingly, under the revised ‘uncapped player rule,’ an Indian player who hasn’t played international cricket in the last five years can be classified as uncapped. Chawla, last representing India in 2012, qualifies for this category, positioning him as a strategic option for MI’s RTM. Bringing Chawla back through the RTM would not only give MI a seasoned bowler capable of delivering under pressure but also add to their bowling options against quality opposition, where experience in the spin department often becomes crucial.

2. Akash Madhwal – A Promising Pacer with Potential

Indian pacer Akash Madhwal joined MI in 2023 and quickly demonstrated his knack for picking up wickets at critical points, regardless of whether he was bowling in the powerplay or death overs. Madhwal’s impact has been impressive, with 14 wickets in his debut season and a best bowling figure of 5/5. Over two seasons, he has amassed 19 wickets in 13 games, showcasing his ability to handle high-pressure situations and deliver match-winning performances.

The 2025 season holds immense promise for Madhwal, and MI may wisely consider securing him with their RTM. His versatility as a bowler who can contribute in multiple phases of the game aligns with MI’s approach to building a well-rounded bowling attack. Retaining him through the RTM would not only deepen MI’s Indian pace department but also enable MI to groom a young talent with potential to develop into a leading pacer in future seasons.

3. Nehal Wadhera – The Versatile Young Batsman

Nehal Wadhera stands as the prime candidate for MI’s RTM use in the IPL 2025 auction. This 24-year-old batsman joined MI in 2023, leaving a positive impact with his aggressive style and technical ability. Scoring 241 runs across 14 matches in his debut season, Wadhera impressed with a strike rate of 145, proving himself a flexible batting option in the middle order. In the subsequent 2024 season, he added another 109 runs in six appearances, though his lower-order position may have limited his full potential.

Wadhera’s natural flair against both spin and pace makes him an asset, as he can slot in as a floater in MI’s batting line-up. His adaptability and composure at the crease offer MI a promising middle-order batsman who could play pivotal roles in high-stakes games. Given his young age and the potential for development, using the RTM card on Wadhera would allow MI to harness his evolving skills for upcoming IPL seasons.

As MI eyes the IPL 2025 season with the aim of breaking their trophy drought, using their RTM card wisely becomes pivotal. Whether they bring back Chawla’s experience, Madhwal’s pace, or Wadhera’s versatility, each option offers a unique value that could be instrumental in MI’s resurgence. With the right blend of seasoned players and emerging talents, MI has the potential to recapture its dominant form in the league. The RTM decision will reflect MI’s strategic commitment to building a robust team that can contend for the title and give their fans a season to celebrate.

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