The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) Auction will take place in Jeddah on November 24 and 25, and all eyes will be on the Mumbai Indians (MI), as they have one of the strongest cores in the league, having retained Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Tilak Varma.
The Hardik Pandya-led outfit has a budget of just Rs. 45 crore and still has 19 slots to fill, including all nine overseas players. They have one Right to Match (RTM) remaining but can only use it on an uncapped player as they have already kept hold of five capped players.
MI are unlikely to be active in the initial part of the auction when the 12 marquee players go under the hammer with the low budget preventing them from investing in a big-money player. However, they could lift the paddle for Yuzvendra Chahal as they aim to resolve a long-standing issue with the spin attack. The 34-year-old is the highest wicket-taker in IPL history, and MI could find it tough to outbid other franchises with bigger purses than them.
The five-time champions are known to try buying former players back, with Ishan Kishan's Rs. 15.25 crore signing in the 2022 mega auction a prime example. However, it is unlikely that MI will get the 26-year-old, with the player set to be in high demand and fetch a premium price.
As far as former players are concerned, MI have purchased Tim David and Dewald Brevis in their teams across various leagues, and an attempt at re-signing them cannot be ruled out.
However, the Mumbai-based franchise are likely to prioritise signing quality pacer to compliment Bumrah, who will also form the core of their overseas picks. Rabada and Starc could be on their radar in the marquee set, while the likes of Gerald Coetzee, Dilshan Madushanka, and Nuwan Thushara will also spark interest after being part of their roaster in 2024.
Trent Boult and Josh Hazlewood will also be up for grabs, and MI is likely to be among a host of teams trying to acquire their services.
If MI are unable to buy Chahal, they could try signing a premium overseas pick like Wanindu Hasaranga, Adam Zampa, Allah Ghazanfar or Adil Rashid.
Among their RTM options in uncapped Indian players, any one of Anshul Kamoj, Nehal Wadhera, and Naman Dhir could be picked up. It will be no surprise if the franchise tries signing these players even without the card. Arjun Tendulkar, with a base price of Rs. 30 lakhs, is likely to return to the franchise after being part of their roaster since 2021.
The team will be after a wicket-keeper batter after Kishan was released and MI Cape Town glovesman Ryan Rickleton could be a dark horse if top options like Jos Buttler, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Phil Salt, Quinton de Kock prove unattainable.
With a history of some smart scouting, MI will sign some talented uncapped players, who have not played in the IPL before.
Mumbai Indians Predicted Targets IPL 2025 Auction
Marquee Set – Yuzvendra Chahal, Kagiso Rabada, Mitchell Starc
Wicket-Keeper Batters – Ryan Rickleton, Jos Buttler, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Phil Salt, Quinton de Kock
Batters – Tim David, Dewald Brevis
Pacers – Trent Boult, Josh Hazlewood, Gerald Coetzee, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Tushara
Spinners – Wanindu Hasaranga, Adam Zampa, Allah Ghazanfar or Adil Rashid.
Uncapped (can use RTM card on one) – Arjun Tendulkar, Naman Dhir, Nehal Wadhera, Anshul Kamboj