MI Playing XI Combination After IPL 2025 Auction

The Mumbai Indians (MI) look set to challenge for another IPL title after a busy 2025 mega auction. Owners of the franchise made several shrewd business decisions at auction and now have 20+ players to drive their 2025 campaign. The franchise spent ₹ 75 crore on retentions and ₹ 44.8 crore at auction to secure services of top talent in India and abroad.

MI now have several possible playing XI combinations after the IPL 2025 auction. Let’s see the most-likely combination they will adopt to target a sixth IPL title next season.

1. Rohit Sharma – Batter

Franchises like the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were set to target Sharma at auction for IPL 2025. However, MI decided to take the talented cricketer and record title winner out of reach for another season by retaining him for ₹ 16.30 crore.

Sharma is set to represent MI in 2025 after spending several successful years at the franchise. The skilled cricketer will combine in an opening role with Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma to provide MI enough firepower.

2. Ryan Rickelton – Wicketkeeper-Batter

MI may decide to place Ryan Rickelton in a starting role as their main wicketkeeper-batter next season. The franchise paid ₹ 1 crore for Rickelton’s services at auction and look set to prefer him over players like Krishnan Shrijith and Robin Minz. Fans will expect the South African to deliver in an MI shirt across IPL 2025 games as the franchise seeks IPL glory.

3. Suryakumar Yadav – Batter

₹ 16.35 crore was the price tag MI had to pay pre-auction to get Suryakumar Yadav off-limits for another season. The talented cricketer will join compatriots Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma to bolster MI’s batting attack in 2025.

Yadav’s batting prowess in limited-overs cricket currently makes him one of IPL cricket’s most-desired batsmen. His place in MI’s playing XI next season is almost certain before official squads are announced.

4. Tilak Varma – Batter

MI paid ₹ 8 crore to retain the T20I record-breaker Tilak Varma. The franchise aims to return to IPL cricket’s summit, and will need all the swinging prowess they can muster from talent like Varma. The youngster has had a fast-rising career in recent years and will likely make MI’s playing XI this season.

5. Hardik Pandya – All-rounder

Pandya’s IPL 2024 season was not what fans expected from the talented all-rounder. The skilled cricketer returned to MI on the back of an impressive 2-season stint at Gujarat Titans (GT).

Pandya led GT to their first IPL title in 2022 and narrowly lost a chance at back-to-back trophies against CSK at the IPL 2023 final. His highly-anticipated return to Mumbai was marred by underwhelming performances as MI finished rock bottom after IPL 2024.

MI showed faith in Pandya’s abilities by retaining the talented all-rounder pre-auction. However, it is unclear if he will continue as team captain after a horrible IPL 2024 outing. Pandya is set to feature in MI’s starting lineup next season after his retention cost the franchise ₹ 16.3 crore pre-auction.

6. Will Jacks – All-rounder

Jacks leaves RCB for another IPL adventure with MI next season. Many analysts believe RCB made a mistake by letting Jacks go so easily, and the all-rounder will be keen to prove his worth in Mumbai at IPL 2025.

7. Naman Dhir – All-rounder

Naman Dhir cost MI the exact fee they paid to secure Will Jacks (₹ 5.25 crore) at auction. The talented Indian all-rounder is set to seize this opportunity to secure a stable role in franchise and international cricket.

8. Mitchell Santner – All-rounder

₹ 2 crore was the final amount Santner fetched at auction, and the all-rounder is likely to feature heavily in MI’s plans next season.

9. Allah Ghazanfar – Bowler

The Afghan bowler was one of MI’s top signings at auction after fetching a ₹ 4.8 crore price. He is set to be part of MI’s playing XI in 2025.  

10. Jasprit Bumrah – Bowler

A bidding war would have ensued at auction if MI didn’t pay ₹ 18 crore pre-auction to retain Jasprit Bumrah. The talented pacer is one of few pacers that can deliver 150kmh balls, and every franchise wants such a player. Bumrah will be at MI for another season to deliver electric performances fans  love.

11. Trent Boult – Bowler

Black Caps bowler Boult moved to MI for a mammoth ₹ 12.5 crore fee at auction. He is in line to become one of the franchise’s top attacking players in 2025.

MI Full Squad after IPL 2025 Auction