Fans were unhappy when Rohit Sharma was replaced as captain by Hardik Pandya the previous season, but the team is now focused on winning a title. With a new outlook, the five-time champion Mumbai Indians (MI) are anticipating the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The past few seasons have been difficult for MI, as they have only made it to the playoffs once in the previous four seasons.
MI was able to assemble a strong team for the IPL 2025 mega-auction. Given Wankhede Stadium’s batter-friendly pitch, they concentrated mostly on bolstering their bowling attack during the bidding process. By doing this, they were able to acquire Trent Boult, who reunited with Jasprit Bumrah to form one of the most formidable fast-bowling combinations. They brought in Deepak Chahar to help their pace department even more.
Mitchell Santner and Karn Sharma have joined the spin department, and international hitters Will Jacks, Bevon Jacobs, and Ryan Rickelton will give their lineup more depth. Additionally, domestic players like Raj Bawa, Vignesh Puthur, and Robin Minz were once signed by MI’s scouting team. Hardik Pandya, the captain, pondered on the auction approach and voiced confidence in the team’s composition ahead of the IPL 2025 season.
“Our plan always included the players we selected, particularly the more seasoned ones. We knew exactly what we wanted to find. Given that Wankhede is a difficult stadium, our main goal this year was to develop a potent bowling assault. Because of the high scoring nature of the field, playing in the IPL in Mumbai, especially at Wankhede, can be scary. Bowlers with expertise, speed, and the capacity to produce bounce and swing were what we were looking for. I am confident that we have assembled a well-rounded team that satisfies every one of our needs. It’s now about showing up and performing well on the field,” he stated exclusively on JioHotstar’s Superstars.
The secret is to maintain equilibrium: Hardik Pandya
On paper, the team appears to be formidable, but they will have to start the season without their captain. Due to a one-match suspension for a slow over-rate offense during the 2024 Indian Premier League, Pandya will miss the season opener against the Chennai Super Kings. Pacer Bumrah is also expected to miss the first few games due to fitness concerns. Regarding MI’s young players, the all-rounder emphasized the value of having faith in oneself.
“The young players entering the IPL have a lot of talent. My advice to them is straightforward: have faith in yourself. Although they are here because they are competent, self-doubt is currently their greatest obstacle. Players occasionally begin to wonder if they belong at this level, and this uncertainty might detract from their skill set. Controlling that mental component is essential. The lessons I’ve learnt over the years are what I can impart to them.
There will be highs and lows throughout this game. The secret is to maintain equilibrium throughout their careers, not just for a single season. They will be able to take advantage of opportunities and pivotal times if they remain impartial. They will be put to the test, but sometimes patience is all they need. They have a significantly better skill set than we did at 21 or 22. The only thing left to do is to strengthen their self-belief, he continued. “Their talent and fearless approach are already there.”
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