Mumbai Indians have a solid core of Indian players, but their overseas selections for IPL 2025 seem unconventional. Apart from seasoned campaigners like Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner, the other six foreign players are either inexperienced in the IPL or lack significant match time.
England allrounder Will Jacks and pacer Reece Topley, South African quick Lizaad Williams, and Afghanistan spinner Allah Ghazanfar have limited exposure to the league. Additionally, New Zealand’s Bevan-John Jacobs and South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton are set to make their IPL debuts.
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Mumbai Indians
No. of players 23/25
Indian players: 15
Overseas players: 8
Retained players (5): Jasprit Bumrah (18 Cr), Suryakumar Yadav (16.35 Cr), Hardik Pandya (16.35 Cr), Rohit Sharma (16.3 Cr), Tilak Varma (8 Cr)
Players Bought in Auction (15):
- Trent Boult (12.5 Cr)
- Naman Dhir (5.25 Cr)
- Robin Minz (65 L)
- Karn Sharma (50 L)
- Bevon Jacobs (30L)
- Ryan Rickelton (1 Cr)
- Krishnan Shrijith (30L)
- Raj Bawa (30L)
- Will Jacks (5.25 Cr)
- Mitchell Santner (2 Cr)
- Allah Ghazanfar (4.8 Cr)
- Deepak Chahar (9.25 Cr)
- Reece Topley (75L)
- Ashwani Kumar (30L)
- Satyanarayana Raju (30L)
- Arjun Tendulkar (30L)
- Lizaad Williams (75L)
- Vignesh Puthur (30L)
Heading into the second day, the Mumbai Indians possessed the second-largest budget and sought to address a few team requirements. They secured Ryan Rickelton, Robin Minz, and Krishnan Shrijith to fill the wicketkeeping slots. The spin department received a boost with the inclusion of Afghanistan’s mystery spinner Allah Ghazanfar and Mitchell Santner. Additionally, their pace arsenal was strengthened by the acquisition of Deepak Chahar.
Mumbai’s strategy might heavily depend on their choice of wicketkeeper-batter. If Rickelton is selected as the opener, it could potentially exclude someone like Will Jacks from the line-up. Conversely, opting for Jacks at the top would necessitate playing either Minz or Shrijith as the wicketkeeper-batter in the starting eleven. This approach could then open up a slot for a foreign player to be utilized as an impact substitute.
The solid Indian batting core provides flexibility, allowing Mumbai to address certain weaknesses using the Impact Sub rule, which offers multiple strategic options. However, injuries to an Indian middle-order batter or pacer could expose a lack of depth in their reserves, potentially disrupting the team’s balance and combinations.
MI Possible First 12 (Including Impact Player)
- Rohit Sharma
- Ryan Rickelton (wk)
- Tilak Varma
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Will Jacks
- Hardik Pandya (capt)
- Naman Dhir/Robin Minz
- Deepak Chahar
- Allah Ghazanfar/Mitchell Santner
- Karn Sharma
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Trent Boult
MI Squad Overview
Fast Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah (retained), Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Ashwani Kumar, Reece Topley, Satyanarayana Raju, Arjun Tendulkar, Lizaad Williams
Batters: Suryakumar Yadav (retained), Rohit Sharma (retained), Tilak Varma (retained), Bevan-John Jacobs
Wicketkeepers: Robin Minz, Ryan Rickelton, Krishnan Shrijith
Allrounders: Hardik Pandya (pace; retained), Naman Dhir (spin; RTM), Will Jacks (spin), Raj Angad Bawa (pace), Vignesh Puthur (spin)
Spinners: Allah Ghazanfar, Karn Sharma, Mitchell Santner
SWOT Analysis of Mumbai Indians (MI) Squad Ahead of IPL 2025
Strengths:
- Experienced Core: With Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya leading the charge, MI boasts a wealth of experience.
- World-Class Bowling Attack: The trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and Deepak Chahar ensures a lethal mix of swing, accuracy, and death-over mastery.
- Versatile Batting: Suryakumar’s 360-degree play and Tilak Varma’s consistency add depth. Will Jacks brings explosive top-order potential.
Weaknesses:
- Inexperienced Middle Order: The lack of proven IPL performers like Naman Dhir or Robin Minz may expose vulnerabilities in crunch situations.
- Spin Department Depth: While Karn Sharma is seasoned, the relatively untested Allah Ghazanfar unpredictability might be a concern.
Opportunities:
- Emerging Talent: Players like Robin Minz and Naman Dhir have a platform to establish themselves.
- Adaptable All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya and Will Jacks offer flexibility in balancing the batting and bowling departments.
Threats:
- Injury Risks: Bumrah and Pandya’s recent injury histories could disrupt team dynamics.
- Reliance on Top Order: Overdependence on the top four might leave MI vulnerable if early wickets fall.
MI will rely on their stars to shine while nurturing young talent to maintain dominance in IPL 2025.
Read More: IPL 2025 Mega Auction Roundup: How the Ten Teams Line Up After the Mega Auction
FAQs
What positions did Mumbai Indians fill on the second day of IPL 2025 Auction?
Mumbai Indians secured wicketkeepers Ryan Rickelton, Robin Minz, and Krishnan Shrijith, along with spinners Allah Ghazanfar and Mitchell Santner, and pacer Deepak Chahar.
How might Mumbai Indians utilize the Impact Sub rule?
The team’s strong Indian batting core allows flexibility, enabling them to address gaps in their line-up and strategize effectively with the Impact Sub rule.
What challenges could Mumbai Indians face despite their solid core?
Injuries to an Indian middle-order batter or pacer could leave the team with limited backup options, potentially disrupting their combinations.
What are Mumbai Indians’ options for opening and wicketkeeping combinations?
If Ryan Rickelton opens, Will Jacks might not find a spot. Alternatively, starting with Jacks could require playing either Robin Minz or Krishnan Shrijith as the wicketkeeper-batter, allowing a foreign player to serve as an impact substitute.
