Which Players will Mumbai Indians Target in IPL 2025 Auction? Analysing Full MI Wishlist and Key Areas They Need to Fill

Mumbai Indians (MI) have retained five players ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. They have spent INR 75 crores and have only INR 45 crores left to work with in the auction. Before delving into MI’s strategy for the auction, let’s analyse each player they have retained and their expertise.

1. Rohit Sharma: A right-handed opener who is terrific vs pace. Rohit has a strike rate of 145.15 and a balls-per-boundary ratio of 4.19 in IPL since 2023. He is an aggressor at the top who can utilise the powerplay overs by taking on speedsters early on.
2. Suryakumar Yadav: Suryakumar Yadav, the best T20 batter, will be a quintessential No.3 in Mumbai Indians (MI). He is a solid player of pace and spin and can be flexible with his batting position in the middle order. He can also open the innings if required.
3. Tilak Varma: Tilak Varma is a spin-hitter who should bat at No.4. He is also a solid player of fuller-length deliveries vs pace, with hard lengths being his only issue. He also provides some useful off-spin bowling, even though he is far from perfect and is only a part-timer.
4. Hardik Pandya: The finest white-ball all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, is a pace-bowling all-rounder who balances the XI. After a lean patch, he has recently shown improvements vs high pace, an area he specialises in. Further, he is also a solid new-ball bowler who can be an enforcer in the middle overs with decent death-overs value.
5. Jasprit Bumrah: Jasprit Bumrah is the finest white-ball bowler who can do everything his team wants. His main role with Mumbai Indians will be to bowl hard lengths in the middle overs and yorkers and other variations at the death. If required, he can also bowl with the new ball effectively.

Also Read: Next Destination for Ishan Kishan? 4 Teams in Contention to Bid for him in IPL 2025 Auction

Right now, this is how Mumbai Indians’ Playing XI is set up:

1. Rohit Sharma
2. ________________
3. Suryakumar Yadav
4. Tilak Varma
5. Hardik Pandya
6. ________________
7. ________________
8. ________________
9. ________________
10. Jasprit Bumrah
11. ________________

Now that it’s clear where the voids are, we can delve right into how Mumbai Indians might go about their business in the IPL 2025 Auction.

What do Mumbai Indians require in the IPL 2025 auction?

Role No.1 – An opener, preferably an LHB and solid spin player

1. Devon Conway: The best fit in MI setup, Devon Conway solves too many issues. Firstly, he is an LHB who handles spin well. Secondly, he also solves the wicketkeeping problem, another vacancy in the squad.
2. Jos Buttler: While Jos Buttler is not an LHB, he still solves the problem of wicketkeeping and is a quality player of spin. He opens the innings and is a proven performer. The only issue is his recent struggles with injuries, so there are doubts over his availability.
3. David Warner: A slightly risky option, but given the budget MI have, they might have to settle with a slightly inferior option. He is an LHB and a solid player of spin at his peak, making him a perfect partner for Rohit. Further, Warner is a proven IPL performer and will enjoy playing MI’s home ground Wankhede.
4. Ishan Kishan: While not a convincing player vs spin, Ishan Kishan still provides an LHB dimension and solves wicketkeeping issues. However, he is still a decent option, and his price won’t be as high as the last time due to his recent struggles. Further, MI know him inside out and saves an overseas spot.
5. Rachin Ravindra: Rachin Ravindra is not a wicketkeeper but solves the other two issues. His game vs spin is much better and is an LHB who can also handle pace well. His stroke-making ability will suit MI’s home venue.
6. Jonny Bairstow: Jonny Bairstow will be another budget pick. He can open the innings and also keep the wickets. His spin game has declined but is still a better option than many against slow bowlers while also providing firepower vs pace.

Also Read: Venkatesh Iyer Set to Ignite Bidding War Among 5 Teams in IPL 2025 Auction

Role No.2 – Pace-hitters, at least two for No.6 and 7, with some bowling value as a bonus

1. David Miller: David Miller might be among the best options available in this category. He is a proven middle and lower-middle-order batter and a runaway match-winner, something MI like in their squad. He also provides decent value vs spin and an LHB dimension.
2. Liam Livingstone: Liam Livingstone fits in every possible way. He is a terrific middle-order batter who can be flexible with his batting position and provides useful spin bowling. However, his price might not fit in MI’s budget.
3. Sherfane Rutherford: Sherfane Rutherford is a nonchalant pace striker and can bat anywhere at No.5 or below. He also provides some medium-pace bowling, even though he is susceptible in a league as high-scoring as IPL. His recent form has been top-notch and is at the peak of his game.
4. Marcus Stoinis: Marcus Stoinis usually batted in the top order for Lucknow Super Giants but knows how to operate in the middle order, for he has done it for years. He is a solid player of pace and decent vs spin, so can be a fine finisher. Further, he also provides useful medium pace in the middle overs.
5. Ashutosh Sharma: Ashutosh Sharma is a sensational player vs pace and will only improve with time. He gained valuable experience last year and will thrive on flat Wankhede decks. He will also be a long-term investment and can serve MI for years.
6. Romario Shepherd: Romario Shepherd is among the most improved players in recent times. He is a solid player of pace bowling and can easily thwack most lengths. Further, he can also crank it up and bowl hard lengths in the middle overs with the ball.

Also Read: 5 Teams that will Target Jos Buttler at the IPL 2025 Auction

Role No.3 – An off-spinner with some batting value

1. Ravichandran Ashwin: Ravichandran Ashwin might be the best possible option in this category. He is a crafty off-spinner who is more than decent with the bat. However, his price might get out of MI’s budget.
2. Washington Sundar: Another quality option, but Washington Sundar’s price will also be high. He also provides solid value vs spin and has improved vs pace. His off-spin bowling is at its peak at the moment.
3. Hrithik Shokeen: A solid defensive spinner who also bats well. Shokeen has decent qualities to consistently give 3-4 overs with the ball. His previous work with MI should be handy.
4. Allah Ghazanfar: Allah Ghazanfar has been making waves with the ball lately. He is a genuine wicket-taker who is equally effective against RHBs and LHBs. He can also hit the ball long in the lower order.

Role No.4 – A wrist-spinner

1. Wanindu Hasaranga: Generally, Mumbai Indians (MI) don’t use an overseas slot for a leg-spinner, but they might do it this time. Wanindu Hasaranga is a skilled leg-spinner whose recent form has been good while providing some batting value. However, his recent injury issues can be a problem.
2. Yuzvendra Chahal: Yuzvendra Chahal might be the best possible option in this category, but MI might not have enough budget. However, if possible, MI can look to spend a good sum because getting a quality leg-spinner has been their issue lately. Chahal knows how to work on flat decks in the middle overs and has done a decent job in death overs in the league.
3. Piyush Chawla: Mumbai Indians can simply pick the same option again in Piyush Chawla. However, he didn’t perform as expected last season and will be vulnerable in a fast-paced league. He doesn’t play much cricket at this level now whose effects were visible last season.
4. Suyash Sharma: Suyash Sharma is a modern-day wrist-spinner who bowls at a high pace. He can be a genuine wicket-taker and will improve since he is age on his side. Further, he also has some previous experience playing in the league, which is another tick.

Also Read: Next Destination for Ishan Kishan? 4 Teams in Contention to Bid for him in IPL 2025 Auction

Role No.5 – A new-ball bowler who can bring early wickets

1. Arshdeep Singh: While Arshdeep Singh will be a hot pick, Mumbai Indians might go hard after him since they like having a left-arm pacer in their squad. He is a proven performer and can wreak havoc in Wankhede where speedsters get considerable movement. Further, he has significant control over his yorkers and has bowled with Jasprit Bumrah for India.
2. Trent Boult: A former MI pacer, Trent Boult is a quintessential new-ball bowler. Boult has previously formed a successful partnership with Bumrah and will get ample help in Wankhede. His death-over skillsets are decent, and Bumrah’s presence will ease his workload.
3. Marco Jansen: Another quality left-arm pacer, Marco Jansen’s best bowling value can come in Wankhede. He can move the new ball and has been gradually improving as a death-over bowler. He is also a more than capable batter in the lower middle order.
4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Bhuvneshwar Kumar will enjoy playing in Wankhede because he has the skills to move the new ball. Further, his death-overs bowling is also encouraging, even though his expertise in this phase has regressed in this league. He can also bat a bit and brings vast experience.
5. Josh Hazlewood: Josh Hazlewood solves two problems: powerplay and middle-overs bowling. He is a solid new-ball bowler who can bowl hard lengths in the middle overs. If used wisely, Hazlewood can be a lethal option for MI, given he is kept away from death overs.
6. Vaibhav Arora: A slightly unpopular option, but Vaibhav Arora is a solid new-ball bowler who knows how to move the new ball well. He has also shown decent skillsets to be a successful death-over bowler. Further, he will be a long-term investment for the side.

Role No.6 – A middle-overs enforcer with decent death-overs skillsets

1. Gerald Coetzee: While Mumbai Indians left Gerald Coetzee, they should re-bid for him because he fits perfectly in their plans. He can bowl at a high pace, with his natural lengths being slightly short, and has shown significant progress as a death-overs bowler by using slower ones etc. There is also decent batting value in the lower order.
2. Umran Malik: While Umran Malik has become slightly out of favour, he might be precisely what MI are looking for. He has shown the capabilities to be a top-class hit-the-deck bowler for the middle overs. With some technical work, Umran will also become lethal in death overs, so he is a project worth investing in.
3. Avesh Khan: Avesh Khan is another solid hit-the-deck bowler with a solid track record in the league. He is tall and will generate additional bounce off the deck in Mumbai. However, his price will be high, and MI don’t have a high budget to invest heavily in a specific player.
4. Prasidh Krishna: Like Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna is also a lanky hit-the-deck pacer who also gives decent death-overs value. His recent struggles with injuries might shrink his price relatively compared to the last mega auction. He will fit perfectly in the MI setup.
5. Yash Thakur: While Yash Thakur is not really a hit-the-deck bowler but can be a useful middle-overs bowler since he has the pace. He hits the bat hard and can operate effectively on bouncy decks of Mumbai. He also showed encouraging control over his yorkers and fuller-length deliveries in the league.

For more updates, follow CricXtasy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Telegram, and YouTube.