Mumbai Indians (MI) endured a tough Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, finishing last on the points table. Hardik Pandya’s captaincy came under fire as the team struggled through one of their most disappointing campaigns. Adding to the uncertainty, rumors are swirling that Rohit Sharma may leave the franchise ahead of IPL 2025. If Rohit departs, MI will face the challenge of finding a capable opener to fill his shoes. Here are three potential players they could target in the IPL 2025 auction to strengthen their lineup.
Abhishek Sharma
Sunrisers Hyderabad is unlikely to release Abhishek Sharma, especially after his impressive performance in IPL 2024, where he scored 484 runs at a strike rate of 204.22. Mumbai Indians (MI) might consider pursuing a trade with SRH to bring Sharma into their squad, similar to the trade they executed for Hardik Pandya in a previous season.
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KL Rahul
KL Rahul is expected to enter the IPL 2025 auction, as he may part ways with his current franchise. Mumbai Indians (MI) could target him as their opening batter, given his strong performance and potential fit with the team. Hardik Pandya, who has a good rapport with Rahul, would likely welcome this addition. While KL Rahul may not be a direct replacement for Rohit Sharma, MI will still need a talented right-handed opener to strengthen their lineup.
Phil Salt
If franchises were limited to retaining only four players, Phil Salt would likely be released, making him a potential target for Mumbai Indians. Salt had a phenomenal IPL 2024 season, scoring 435 runs at an average of 39.55 and a strike rate of 182.01. His explosive batting could provide the acceleration MI needs at the start of their innings, helping them gain early momentum.