Five-time champions Mumbai Indians look solid for IPL 2025. In the recently held auction, the team spent nearly INR 40 crores to acquire 18 players, strengthening their squad. With a lethal bowling attack and a powerful top order, MI looks perfectly balanced.
The team brought in key players like Deepak Chahar, Will Jacks, and veteran Trent Boult. Before the auction, MI already retained a star-studded core comprising Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma for INR 75 crores in Saudi Arabia. However, despite these purchases and preparations for the upcoming IPL, one question is still there. Who will open with Rohit Sharma in IPL 2025? As there is no Ishan Kishan, it means the vacancy is there. But since the team have a quality top-order batters, they have surely created options. See, among these names, one could open alongside Rohit Sharma in IPL 2025.
Tilak Varma
Currently in hot form, Tilak Varma is emerging as a strong option for MI if they are considering an opener alongside Rohit Sharma. This partnership could be promising due to Varma’s consistency in recent times. Since making his debut in 2022, Varma has been a key player for MI, having 1,156 runs at an average of nearly 40 and an impressive strike rate of 146.32. Given his solid numbers as a top-order batter. If MI tweaks his position and pushes him up to open with Rohit Sharma, he could provide valuable runs in IPL 2025.
Will Jacks
Not new to opening, Will Jacks has plenty of experience as an opener in various leagues. For Oval Invincibles in The Hundred, he scored a massive 108 runs off 48 balls against the Southern Brave. In the IPL, while playing for RCB at No. 3, he scored a century against Gujarat Titans, showing his flexibility across batting positions. If MI is considering pairing him with Rohit Sharma, it could be a strong choice. Jacks, who was sold to Mumbai Indians for INR 5.25 crore, made his IPL debut in the 2024 season, playing eight games for RCB. Now, the 26-year-old will be looking to grab the spotlight playing for MI.
Ryan Rickelton
Since Ishan Kishan was previously with the team, he opened alongside Rohit Sharma. However, with Kishan no longer in the squad, MI has acquired Ryan Rickelton and Robin Binz to ensure they have a well-rounded wicketkeeper setup. If we look closely, Ryan Rickelton from South Africa could potentially fill the role Ishan played. As a left-handed wicketkeeper-batter, Rickelton offers the right-left combination at the top of the order, which could be advantageous for MI. Known for his aggressive batting and ability to hit big shots, Rickelton already has experience playing for the Proteas. He has played 7 Tests, 5 ODIs, and 12 T20Is for South Africa, making him a strong contender to open with Rohit Sharma.
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