The five-time champion Mumbai Indians (MI) have a new outlook for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. MI has had a difficult run of recent seasons, making the playoffs just once in the previous four seasons. Although supporters were unhappy with the team’s decision to replace Rohit Sharma as captain last season with Hardik Pandya, the team is now focused on winning a title.
MI has assembled an impressive team for the IPL 2025 mega-auction.
Considering the batter-friendly track at Wankhede Stadium, their primary goal during the bidding event was to bolster their bowling attack. Trent Boult was acquired in the process, rejoining Jasprit Bumrah to form one of the formidable fast-bowling combinations. They added Deepak Chahar to their pace department to help them even more.
Mitchell Santner and Karn Sharma have been acquired for the spin department, and their lineup will gain depth with the addition of international batsmen Will Jacks, Bevon Jacobs, and Ryan Rickelton. In addition, MI’s scouting squad has previously signed domestic players including Raj Bawa, Vignesh Puthur, and Robin Minz. Prior to the 2025 Indian Premier League season, skipper Hardik Pandya commented on the auction strategy and voiced confidence in the team’s makeup.
“We always had a plan for the players we chose, especially the more seasoned ones. We knew exactly what we were searching for. Our main goal this year was to develop a potent bowling assault since Wankhede is a difficult ground. It might be scary to play in the IPL in Mumbai, especially at Wankhede, because of how high the score is.
We were looking for bowlers with speed, experience, and the capacity to produce bounce and swing. We have assembled a well-rounded staff, in my opinion, that satisfies every one of our needs. On Superstars on JioHotstar, he stated exclusively, “Now it’s about showing up and performing well on the field.”
It’s important to maintain equilibrium: Hardik Pandya
Despite the squad’s apparent strength, the team will have to start the season without its captain. Due to an IPL 2024 suspension for a slow over-rate infraction, Pandya will miss the season opener against the Chennai Super Kings. Pacer Bumrah’s fitness is also an issue, as he is expected to miss the opening four games. The all-rounder spoke about the value of self-belief in relation to MI’s young players.
“There are a lot of talented new players entering the IPL. I have a straightforward message for them: have faith in yourself. The main obstacle at this point is self-doubt, but they are here because they are good enough. Players may begin to doubt their ability to compete at this level, which can detract from their skill set. It’s important to control that mental component. I can share with them the knowledge I’ve gained over the years. Both highs and lows will occur in this game.
Maintaining equilibrium throughout their careers, not just for a single season, is crucial. By remaining impartial, they will be able to take advantage of chances and pivotal times. They will encounter challenging situations, but occasionally patience is all they need. Their skill set is significantly superior than ours at 21 or 22 years old. All they need to do is strengthen their self-belief. Their talent and bold approach are already there,” he continued.
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