The Mumbai Indians (MI) have just finished one of their worst Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons ever. The five-time champions will be eager to reclaim their glory after finishing at the bottom of the standings in 2024.
Several well-known players were acquired at the auction, and Hardik Pandya has been kept as the team’s captain. Hardik’s ban in the opening game for an overrate infraction from the previous game and Jasprit Bumrah’s absence for the first leg of the IPL, however, are concerning for MI.
The abundance of overseas options has left both fans and experts puzzled over Mumbai’s ideal combination. Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s replacement of Allah Ghazanfar Hasn’t provided much clarity, and the captain himself didn’t say much when questioned about it during a preseason press conference.
MI’s squad for IPL 2025: Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Bevon Jacobs, Robin Minz, Ryan Rickelton, Krishnan Shrijith, Hardik Pandya, Naman Dhir, Will Jacks, Raj Angad Bawa, Vignesh Puthur, Allah Ghazanfar, Karn Sharma, Mitchell Santner, Jasprit Bumrah, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Ashwani Kumar, Reece Topley, Satyanarayana Raju, Arjun Tendulkar, Corbin Bosch.
In light of this, MI’s best IPL 2025 lineup, except a few impact player choices, is as follows.
Openers: Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton (wk)
With his retirement from T20I cricket, MI will undoubtedly rely on Rohit Sharma to begin the batting and hope he can play his best game. However, it’s still uncertain who will partner him at the top.
Will Jacks is an intriguing option at the top of the order, but it would be difficult to leave out Ryan Rickelton, who has Has been in sensational form across all formats recently. In addition to being dependable behind the stumps, Rickelton’s style of play appears to fit in nicely at Wankhede Stadium.
Middle Order: Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (Captain), Naman Dhir
Since neither Mitchell Santner nor Mujeeb Ur Rahman can play, Jacks’ inclusion in the lineup with Rickelton would actually weaken the spin attack. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma may also have to bat one spot lower than they would like to.
But if MI wants to control Their limited batting lineup without compromising their bowling strength, that might be their best option. Deploying a destructive batsman like Jacks after the openers may win many games in the first ten overs. Jacks has batted at number three in the IPL and in England.
The middle order will be manned by captain Hardik Pandya and uncapped all-rounder Naman Dhir, with a batting impact substitute who may be called upon if necessary.
Lower Order: Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
It’s not easy to drop Mujeeb, but the Afghanistan spinner hasn’t been at his best lately, with the exception of the SA20 league, where he had the benefit of playing at a favorable venue in Paarl. He no longer plays for the national team, and it’s unclear if he can make a big difference at the Wankhede, where spinners don’t enjoy themselves.
As a result, Santner and Jacks might be the lineup’s primary spinners, with Dhir providing some off-spin as required.
Jasprit Bumrah should return after being deemed fit, and Trent Boult should partner Deepak Chahar with the new ball. MI may have to select Ashwani Kumar in Bumrah’s absence, although doing so would expose their death bowling.
Impact Player Options – Karn Sharma, Ashwani Kumar, Robin Minz, Raj Bawa
Karn Sharma might be brought in if MI is determined to have a wrist-spinner, even though the veteran did not perform well for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
MI has long sought Robin Minz, who might be used in the middle order. The same is true for Raj Bawa, who is said to be playing well at bat and with the ball during the team’s preseason training.
Remarkably, MI can only select three foreign players in their starting lineup if they so want. They can also select from an impact sub bench that includes Corbin Bosch, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Bevon-John Jacobs, and one of Jacks or Rickelton, with Minz serving as the backup keeper in the event that the South African is unable to play. They would have a great deal of versatility, but practically every member of their team would have less role definition, which is never a good situation.
