3 areas where MI's IPL 2025 squad is better than IPL 2024
Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians (MI) had a good time at the auction table as they managed to put together a team that might help them end their trophy drought. One of the most successful franchises in the tournament haven’t managed to realize their potential in the last few years.
Their last title triumph came in 2020 and since then, the performances have dipped considerably. The year 2024 was forgettable for the Mumbai-based franchise, as they finished 10th on the points table with just four wins to their name. The captaincy saga also played a major role in MI’s capitulation act.
Hardik Pandya was handed over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma which didn't go well with the fans. Hardik was booed in the majority of the IPL stadiums and it reflected in MI’s performance. They couldn't quite find their feet and kept losing matches one after the other. Hardik will remain the captain in 2025 but the whole scenario has changed now.
The all-rounder has reinvented himself and played a major role in India’s T20 World Cup win in the Caribbean earlier this year. The whole squad seems much better than the 2024 edition.
MI retained their core players in the auction and ended up buying some utility players. Now let us decipher three reasons why MI’s 2025 squad is better than the one in 2024.
3 areas where MI's IPL 2025 squad is better than IPL 2024
#1. A perfect blend of youth and experience
Mumbai Indians retained the majority of their core, comprising Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma. Unlike the rest of the franchises, MI had only INR 45 crores left in their tank ahead of the auction and they had to pick the team carefully.
In Rohit, Bumrah, Hardik, and SKY, Mumbai Indians have a quartet that has led India in one format or the other. Under Rohit, India won the 2024 T20 World Cup while Hardik has led India in the white ball formats. SKY is the current Indian T20 captain while Bumrah recently led India to a famous Test win against Asutralia in Perth.
You certainly don't need any more experience but they managed to acquire the services of Trent Boult who was part of MI’s last title-winning squad. They picked four relatively new faces while also having some experienced youngsters like Tilak Varma who has already taken international cricket by storm.
#2. A lethal pace bowling attack which was lacking in 2024
MI have managed to form a pretty lethal pace bowling attack that has all the attributes of dismantling any top-class batting lineup. Unlike the previous year when Jasprit Bumrah was the lone warrior in the bowling line-up, MI can expect things to be much better in 2024.
The pair of Bumrah and Trent Boult wreaked havoc in 2020. The duo hunted in pairs and tracked down batting line-ups with consummate ease.
Boult's return will certainly bolster their pace bowling department. Another addition that might be highly beneficial for MI is Deepak Chahar.
The medium-fast bowler could end up being a perfect new ball option which might allow Hardik to keep Bumrah for the more challenging phases of a match. Reece Topley and Lizaad Williams will also add variety to the pace attack.
#3. A bit of flair and mystery in the squad
The MI squad for IPL 2025 seems to have most of their bases covered despite most of the players bought in the auction not having the experience of playing in the IPL. Knowing their money constraints, MI didn't bid for the big names but still managed to cover most of their bases.
In Ryan Rickleton, they have a batter who could take the opposition bowling line-up to the cleaners in the powerplay. Will Jacks is another batter who tends to take the game away from the opposition within a blink of an eye and it was evident when he played for RCB in 2024.
Meanwhile, in the bowling department, MI bought the mystery spinner, Allah Ghazanfar, who recently tormented South Africa with his wrong-uns and unconventional deliveries.
He can bowl in all three facets of the game and has been a value addition to the team. All in all, the MI squad of 2025 certainly looks better than the one in 2024.