The five-time IPL champions, Mumbai Indians, are gearing up to regain their dominance after a challenging phase. Since lifting the trophy in 2020, they haven’t reached a final and missed the playoffs three times. Last season, they finished at the bottom of the table, raising questions about their future.
Despite the tough times, Mumbai Indians showed faith in their core, retaining Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah before the IPL 2025 auction. This also put an end to speculation about Rohit leaving Mumbai Indians.
The auction was a win for MI, bringing back Trent Boult to partner with Bumrah in the bowling attack. They also added Mitchell Santner and Deepak Chahar, boosting their bowling depth. With renewed clarity and a balanced squad, the team is set to aim for another title.
Can they reclaim their glory this season? Let’s explore their squad and chances.
STRENGTHS
Experienced core group: Mumbai Indians have one of the strongest Indian cores in the league. With experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, along with Jasprit Bumrah, one of the best bowlers in T20s, their foundation is solid. Adding to that, young star Tilak Varma, who impressed in the recent T20I series against South Africa, gives the team a good balance.
Variety in bowling unit: The team reunited the successful duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult. They also added Deepak Chahar, who is exceptional with the new ball. Boult and Chahar as a pair can challenge even the best batting lineups early on. In the spin department, they have Mitchell Santner and the mystery spinner Allah Ghazanfar, adding much-needed variety.
WEAKNESSES
Inexperienced lower order: Mumbai Indians might face challenges with their lower-order batting as players like Naman Dhir and wicketkeeper-batter Robin Minz lack experience. While Mumbai has a history of nurturing young talent into stars, how quickly these players adapt to the big stage remains uncertain.
Lack of a quality Indian spinner: The team will likely rely on Mitchell Santner and Allah Ghazanfar as their primary spinners. However, not having a proven Indian spinner could hurt their team balance, especially if their overseas spinners don’t perform consistently.
OPPORTUNITIES
Hardik Pandya to redeem his captaincy: Hardik Pandya had a tough season as a captain last year, struggling both on the field and with the bat. This season offers him a chance to bounce back, showcase his leadership abilities, and justify the management’s faith in him as captain.
A shot at reclaiming dominance: Mumbai Indians, known for their winning legacy, haven’t performed to their standards over the past four years. This season presents an opportunity to make a strong comeback and regain their place as one of the most dominant teams in IPL history.
THREATS
Injury concerns for key players: Deepak Chahar’s fitness has been a recurring issue, as seen during his time with Chennai Super Kings. He missed several matches in past seasons, including the entire 2022 campaign. With his pivotal role in the bowling lineup, his fitness and performance with the new ball will be crucial for Mumbai Indians.
Lack of strong backups: Mumbai Indians’ bench strength doesn’t match the quality of their starting XI. This leaves them vulnerable if a key player underperforms or gets injured, which could affect the team’s overall balance and performance.
Mumbai Indians squad for the IPL 2025
Retained Players: Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma
Players Picked in the auction: Trent Boult, Naman Dhir, Robin Minz, Karn Sharma, Bevon Jacobs, Ryan Rickelton, Krishnan Shrijith, Raj Bawa, Will Jacks, Mitchell Santner, Allah Ghazanfar, Deepak Chahar, Reece Topley, Ashwani Kumar, Satyanarayana Raju, Arjun Tendulkar, Lizaad Williams, Vignesh Puthur
Mumbai Indians Probable XI and Impact Player for the IPL 2025
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Will Jacks, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Naman Dhir, Hardik Pandya (c), Robin Minz, Deepak Chahar, Mitchell Santner, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Allah Ghazanfar (Impact)
CONCLUSION & RATINGS OUT OF 10
Mumbai Indians have built a strong squad with a blend of experienced players and young talent. The core of the team, including Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya, provides stability. Their pace attack, with Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, and Jasprit Bumrah, along with spinners like Mitchell Santner and Allah Ghazanfar, adds variety to the bowling unit.
However, the team may face challenges with inexperienced lower-order batters and a lack of quality Indian spinners, which could impact balance if their key spinners don’t perform. A key factor will be Hardik Pandya’s leadership, especially after a tough season last year. The team will need consistent performances and good fitness from its key players to bounce back and compete at the top level.
RATING: 8.5/10
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