Mumbai Indians (MI) hold what is arguably the best core of the team ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. The five-time IPL victors have managed to keep their all 4 international players and added a few. These include Jasprit Bumrah, captain Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma among others. Now, the humongous challenge before the MI management is to fill the squad with players within an additional Rs 45 crore limit in the mega auction. Former India cricketer turn analyst Aakash Chopra has also estimated that Mumbai Indians can let out a hard bid for an Indian spin bowler.
“Considering their retentions, Mumbai Indians may very well be left with an all Indian batting order and an all foreign bowling line up barring a couple of Indian spinners. Whatever happens, we all know for a fact that they would seek out Yuzvendra Chahal, however if he is available, then they, may also consider him. I think they would also look into Washington Sundar,” Aakash Chopra stated on his YouTube video.
Chahal was also one of those who surprised many by not being retained by Rajasthan Royals (RR) prior to the mega auction. The leg spinner is the all-time leading wicket-taker in IPL, being the first and Currently the only one to ever have over 200 wickets in the IPL.
Remarkably, Chahal has taken 18 and above wickets in the last six seasons of the IPL.
On the contrary, the explosive screen of the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s squad from IPL 2024 also meant that Washington Sundar was released. However, based on his recent performances in both T20Is and Test matches for Team India, Sundar should command a hefty amount at the auction
Chopra further said that though he thought that the Mumbai Indians would be interested in Ishan Kishan, the 26-year-old wicket-keeper batter would likely be out of their price range. Instead, he proposed some other options.
“They will be looking for a wicket-keeper batter. Maybe it is Quinton de Kock, or even Jitesh Sharma or Phil Salt. They will have to find an overseas opener and wicket-keeper also. Jitesh doesn’t quite fit that bill but then again, he is an Indian,” Chopra said.
The IPL mega auction is scheduled to take place in Jeddah on NOV 24 and 25.