As the Mumbai Indians (MI) gear up for IPL 2025, they face several critical challenges that could impact their quest for a sixth title.
After a disappointing run in recent seasons, including finishing last in 2024, MI aims to turn things around.
Here are three major concerns that could affect their performance in the upcoming tournament.
1. Jasprit Bumrah’s Injury Concerns
One of the most significant issues for MI is the uncertainty surrounding Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness.
The star pacer has been sidelined since January due to a lower back injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
Reports indicate that Bumrah will miss the initial matches of IPL 2025, which poses a substantial challenge for MI’s bowling attack.
Without his exceptional skills, particularly in death overs, MI will rely heavily on Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar to lead the pace attack.
Coach Mahela Jayawardene acknowledged the difficulty of not having Bumrah available, emphasizing the need for other players to step up in his absence.
2. Middle-Order Stability
Another pressing concern for MI is the stability of their middle order.
While the top order boasts formidable talent in Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, there are questions about the consistency and reliability of younger players like Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir.
Suryakumar’s form has also been a point of concern; he struggled significantly in 2024, averaging just 25.94 across 38 T20 innings.
If MI’s top order falters, it will be crucial for the middle order to perform under pressure, but there are uncertainties about whether these younger players can deliver consistently in high-stakes situations.
3. Dressing Room Dynamics
The internal dynamics within the MI dressing room also raise concerns heading into IPL 2025.
Following a tumultuous previous season where MI finished last, there were reports of dissatisfaction among players regarding Hardik Pandya’s captaincy after Rohit Sharma stepped down.
Although there have been signs of improvement with Pandya regaining support following successful performances with the Indian national team, maintaining a positive team environment is essential for success.
The ability of players to work cohesively and support each other will be crucial as MI attempts to overcome past disappointments and regain their status as one of the league’s top teams.
