MI's best playing 11 plus Impact Player after IPL 2025 Auction ft. Rohit Sharma & Robin Minz
The Mumbai Indians (MI) were inactive for large parts of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, but they got the job done in Saudi Arabia. The five-time IPL champions surrounded their world-class retentions with a solid bowling attack, making them one of the early favorites to make the playoffs.
MI have announced that Hardik Pandya will lead the franchise once again in IPL 2025. The all-rounder will have a strong squad at his disposal, with a few options in all departments. However, picking the first-choice XII is a fairly straightforward task.
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, Lizaad Williams.
On that note, here is MI's strongest side, including an impact player, for IPL 2025.
Openers: Rohit Sharma and Will Jacks
MI can open with left-hander Ryan Rickelton, which would solve their wicket-keeping problem. But the South African is relatively untested at the IPL level, and Will Jacks is a better option.
Jacks could partner former skipper Rohit Sharma at the top of the order, forming a fearsome opening combination that will enjoy batting at the Wankhede Stadium. Rohit, who has retired from T20Is, will need to find his peak form, which has eluded him for over a decade in the IPL.
Middle order: Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Robin Minz (wk), Hardik Pandya (c), Naman Dhir
With Jacks at the top of the order, MI will need to find a way to slot Robin Minz into the middle order. The burly left-handed keeper is known to be a basher of spin, so No. 5 might be the best bet for him, following the immensely talented duo of Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, who must bat in the top four.
This would mean that Naman Dhir and Hardik Pandya will need to take on important roles in the lower-middle order. Mumbai have moved on from Tim David and Romario Shepherd, and Bevon Jacobs doesn't have too much experience at the top level. The franchise might also not have an overseas slot to use in the middle order.
Lower order: Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Allah Ghazanfar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
MI have the freedom of fielding two overseas spinners, which will be an ideal scenario as Karn Sharma is the frontline domestic leggie. Mitchell Santner and Allah Ghazanfar, who are quality spin options, will also lengthen the batting lineup.
Jasprit Bumrah will be partnered by Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar in the pace department. While this would leave Mumbai slightly thin in the death-bowling unit, they will have to make do with such a combination after splurging on Boult and Chahar.