Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra recently provided his expert analysis of Mumbai Indians' strategy for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction, shedding light on areas of strength and weakness for the franchise. He noted that while Mumbai Indians have a strong batting line-up, which includes some of the best hitters in the league, it is their bowling attack that remains a concern. Chopra emphasized that Mumbai will likely prioritize strengthening their bowling unit in the upcoming auction.
Mumbai Indians have long been known for their explosive batting capabilities, with top players like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Verma often delivering big runs. However, despite their batting prowess, the team has struggled in recent seasons due to an inconsistent bowling attack. “Their batting has become strong once again. The problem is that they have only one bowler, who is a four-over bank, but you need more bowlers,” Chopra stated on his YouTube channel. He pointed out that while the Mumbai team is often able to score high totals, they frequently fall short when it comes to containing the opposition's batting line-up. This imbalance, where the team puts up big scores but struggles to defend them, has been a significant factor in their recent underperformance.
Given this, Chopra speculated that Mumbai would look to invest in experienced spin bowlers during the auction. Specifically, he predicted that Mumbai could bid for Yuzvendra Chahal, who will be available at the auction after being released by Rajasthan Royals. Chahal, who is one of the top spinners in the IPL, has a strong track record, and Chopra suggested that his addition could prove to be a game-changer for Mumbai. Chahal made his IPL debut with Mumbai Indians back in 2011 and was part of the team for three years, which makes him a familiar face to the franchise. Given Mumbai's ongoing struggles with spin bowling, Chahal could provide them with much-needed variety and experience in the attack.
Chopra also mentioned another potential target for Mumbai: Washington Sundar, the all-rounder from Hyderabad. Sundar’s ability to bowl tight spells and provide depth with the bat makes him an attractive option for Mumbai. Sundar, who has shown promise in both domestic and international cricket, could be a valuable addition to Mumbai’s spin department. Chopra speculated that Mumbai might look to bring Sundar into the squad as they seek to strengthen their Indian core, maintaining a balance between their batting and bowling units.
Currently, Mumbai Indians have retained five players ahead of the auction, a mix of their star players and core team members. Jasprit Bumrah, the team’s ace fast bowler, has been retained for Rs 18 crore, highlighting his importance to the squad. Along with Bumrah, captain Hardik Pandya and vice-captain Suryakumar Yadav were also retained for Rs 16.35 crore each, further solidifying the leadership and batting backbone of the team. Mumbai also retained Rohit Sharma, their long-standing captain, for Rs 16.3 crore, a crucial decision given his experience and leadership on the field. Additionally, young talent Tilak Verma, who has impressed with his performances in previous seasons, was retained for Rs 8 crore.
With the IPL 2025 auction scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a total of 1,574 players have registered for the event, including 1,165 Indian cricketers and 409 overseas players. The auction will feature a mix of uncapped and capped players, along with 30 players from associate nations. Among the capped players, 48 are Indian, adding a diverse pool of talent for teams to bid on. The Mumbai Indians are expected to be active participants in the auction, particularly in the quest to strengthen their bowling attack. Their main focus will likely be on finding bowlers who can complement their strong batting line-up and provide the balance needed to contend for the IPL 2025 title.
As the IPL auction approaches, Mumbai’s strategy will be crucial in determining whether they can return to their winning ways. With the right additions to their bowling unit, particularly in the spin department, Mumbai Indians could once again emerge as one of the top contenders for the IPL trophy in 2025. Chahal and Sundar could provide the right combination of experience and skill, ensuring that Mumbai's all-round capabilities are solidified and ready to take on the best teams in the league.
