3 reasons why MI must target Marco Jansen in IPL 2025 Auction
With the retention process now finalized, all franchises are set to fine-tune their strategies for the IPL 2025 mega auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Mumbai Indians (MI), along with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), are one of the most successful franchises in IPL history, with five titles. However, MI will be under the spotlight after a disappointing 2024 season under Hardik Pandya.
The team have struggled in recent years, finishing at the bottom in both 2022 and 2024. To revive their fortunes, MI have reappointed former coach Mahela Jayawardene for the 2025 season.
They have retained six players: Jasprit Bumrah (₹18 crore), Suryakumar Yadav (₹16.35 crore), Hardik Pandya (₹16.35 crore), Rohit Sharma (₹16.30 crore), and Tilak Varma (₹8 crore).
With the IPL 2025 mega auction fast approaching, Indians will be looking to secure the perfect partner for Jasprit Bumrah in their bowling attack. Since the departure of Trent Boult, Bumrah has not had consistent support from the other end. A potential solution to this challenge could be South African pacer Marco Jansen.
On that note, let's look at three reasons why MI must target Marco Jansen in the IPL 2025 auction.
#1 Familiar with the MI setup, having made his IPL debut with them in 2021
The Proteas seamer got a taste of arguably the best franchise cricket tournament, the IPL, with Mumbai Indians in 2021. MI picked him up for his base price of INR 20 lakh, and he played two matches, taking two wickets, before being acquired by SunRisers Hyderabad ahead of the 2022 season.
At 24 years old, Jansen is already familiar with the Mumbai setup, having joined when Mahela Jayawardene was the coach. If MI manage to bring him back, his height of 6'8" gives him a distinct advantage in generating bounce, making him a difficult bowler for any batter to face.
His ability to extract both bounce and swing, especially in conditions that favor fast bowlers, would make him a strong complement to MI's existing pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah.
#2 Marco Jansen can contribute with the bat in the lower middle order
One of Marco Jansen’s key strengths is his ability to contribute with the bat. In IPL 2024, MI had players like Romario Shepherd and Mohammad Nabi, but they often failed to deliver, with the team struggling to find their ideal playing XI.
Jansen’s lower-order power hitting could prove crucial in finishing innings strongly, an area MI has struggled with in recent seasons. His inclusion would provide the team with added flexibility in their batting order, knowing they can depend on him to score vital runs in the closing overs.
The 24-year-old has a solid batting record in the SA20, having played 22 matches over two seasons, scoring 282 runs at an average of 35.25, including two fifties, with a top score of 71 not out. The South African cricketer is brimming with potential and has the ability to become a match-winner for Mumbai Indians.
#3 Impressive T20 record and can be a long-term investment
The 24-year-old has matured significantly in recent years, having already played at the highest level in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is for South Africa. By adding Jansen to their roster, MI would not only bolster their IPL 2025 squad but also invest in a player with long-term potential.
With 21 IPL matches and 20 wickets to his name, the left-arm pacer has proven his ability in the tournament. He was also part of the South African squad that reached the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup and has taken 14 wickets in 14 T20I appearances for his country.
Jansen had an outstanding SA20 2023-24 season, picking up 20 wickets in 10 matches, including a five-wicket haul and a four-wicket spell. As a left-arm fast bowler with all-rounder capabilities, he brings a unique skill set to the table. His continued development as a cricketer could make him a key player for MI in future IPL seasons.