While MI looked like the strongest squad for after IPL Retentions, same cannot be said after the IPL Auctions. The team had initially retained players like Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, and Tilak Varma, but did not do enough to get some star power into the side, for IPL 2025.
But then, even after assembling a mediocre-looking squad, they would have to come up with a perfect XI. More so, they would have to get their act together for the batting line-up, which once boasted the likes of Ricky Ponting, Sanath Jayasuriya, and even Sachin Tendulkar. InsideSport takes a look at MIs best batting line up for IPL 2025 –
Tilak Varma Deserves to Open
Even though Tilak Varma is not really looked as an opener, but he has proved with his recent exploits, that his rightful position is at the top of the order. Batting at No. 3 for India, he smashed two back-to-back tons in the T20Is vs South Africa in November and then kept his form going in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well. IN 7 matches, he ended with 327 runs, at an average of 65, and a strike-rate of over 169.
| Matches | Runs | Average | Strike-rate | 100s |
| 7 | 327 | 65.40 | 169.43 | 1 |
Choice Between Will Jacks and Rohit Sharma
The other opener option — MI has two for now. There is Rohit Sharma in the ranks, as well as English opener Will Jacks, who could be seen opening. The latter is definitely in Mumbai’s plans, and that showed in team owner’s reaction, after bagging him. NO matter who opens, both deserve a place in the line up for sure. In IPL 2024, Rohit struck his first ton in the tournament in 12 years. On the other hand, Jacks has a decent record in T20s, playing 191 matches, and scoring 4847 runs, at a strike rate of 157.
Suryakumar Yadav, Ryan Rickelton, Hardik Pandya and Raj Bawa?
The next man in would come in as no surprise. That would be MI legend Suryakumar Yadav, who had a quiet IPL 2024, by his own standards. He scored 345 runs in 11 matches, including a ton, and scored runs at a strike-rate of over 167. Protean Ryan Rickelton could provide them with the solidity in the middle and reduce the workload of others to follow.
| Matches | Runs | Average | Strike-rate | 50s |
| 7 | 246 | 49.20 | 193.70 | 2 |
Then, in the list would be skipper Hardik Pandya, who is the best white-ball all-rounder in the world. He had an excellent SMAT also, where he scored 246 runs 7 matches at an average of 49, and a strike-rate of 193. Lastly, Raj Bawa could make the cut as well. In 20 T20s, he has scored over 300 runs at a strike-rate over 127.
MI IPL 2025 Squad
Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Trent Boult (Rs. 12.50 crore), Naman Dhir (Rs. 5.25 crore), Robin Minz (Rs. 65 lakh), Karn Sharma (Rs. 50 lakh), Ryan Rickelton (Rs. 1 crore), Deepak Chahar (Rs. 9.25 crore), Allah Ghazanfar (Rs. 4.80 crore), Will Jacks (Rs. 5.25 crore), Ashwani Kumar (Rs. 30 lakh), Mitchell Santner (Rs. 2 crore), Reece Topley (Rs. 75 lakh), Krishnan Shrijith (Rs. 30 lakh), Raj Angad Bawa (Rs. 30 lakh), Satyanarayana Raju (Rs. 30 lakh), Bevon Jacobs (Rs. 30 lakh), Arjun Tendulkar (Rs. 30 lakh), Lizaad Williams (Rs. 75 lakh), Vignesh Puthur (Rs. 30 lakh).
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