MI might make a few bold moves ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction and retain a few unpopular picks over the obvious ones.
The five-time IPL champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), didn’t have a great previous cycle despite having a strong side. Their Indian core was the best among all teams, but they could qualify for playoffs only once and ended at the bottom in the other two editions.
However, their strong contingent will make it arduous to choose their retentions and releases. They were laced with quality from top to bottom, and this mega auction will be harsh on them.
MI might make a few bold moves ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction and retain a few unpopular picks over the obvious ones. Let’s select three players who might be shock retentions.
MI didn’t have many positives in the 2024 edition, but Naman Dhir managed to shine amidst chaos all around. While he scored only 140 runs, Naman showed his fine range and ability, especially against pace, striking at 180.95. The best part about him is that he can be flexible with his batting position and bat anywhere in the middle order.
It’s arduous to find too many genuine pace-hitters in the domestic arena, which makes him a special case. MI might find it hard to find a place for him in their main retentions, so they can see him as an option to retain in the uncapped category. He is an investment worth it for years to come.
Also Read: Mumbai Indians (MI) set to make three shock releases ahead of IPL 2025 auction
Tim David was bought at a whopping INR 8.25 crores in the IPL 2022 auction and came with massive hype. However, he couldn’t perform according to expectations and remained underwhelming for most of the cycle. However, he performed a tough role of batting in the lower order, which can be fickle.
So, the chances of failure are higher than in any other role, and MI will be wary of finding someone new for this job. Hence, they can keep Tim David, whose hitting is on the rise. Maybe MI will think of him as one of the options to retain ahead of any first-choice player.
Akash Madhwal was a revelation in the 2023 edition and performed exceptionally well in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. However, he couldn’t replicate the same in the 2024 edition. Maybe MI could have given him more chances, for he only featured in five games.
But there’s obvious talent, and Madhwal will only improve under the guidance of Bumrah. He is quick and skiddy and can be a long-term investment for MI that nurture talent better than many other teams. MI can look to retain him in the uncapped category if they don’t find a spot in the main section.
For more updates, follow CricXtasy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Telegram, and YouTube.
