The Mumbai Indians (MI), a team known for its star-studded lineup and five IPL titles, had a tough time in the 2024 Indian Premier League.
They were the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention and currently sit at the bottom of the table with just 8 points and a net run rate of -0.271.
The season saw MI experimenting with their lineup and strategies, including the abrupt appointment of Hardik Pandya as captain, but these changes did not lead to the desired outcomes.
The team managed only four wins out of their 13 matches, resulting in a disappointing campaign.
Possible Major Changes Ahead of IPL 2025
With the IPL 2025 mega auction scheduled for later this year, speculation is rife about the future composition of the MI squad.
The underwhelming performances of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have been particularly scrutinized.
Rohit, despite being the captain of the Indian squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup starting on June 1 in the USA and West Indies, and Hardik, his deputy, might not be retained by MI for the next season.
Virender Sehwag’s Insights
Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag shared his thoughts on MI’s future during an interview with Cricbuzz.
He believes that MI might retain only two key players: Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah.
Sehwag emphasized the need for consistent performance, comparing MI’s situation to a film starring Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan.
He explained, “Tell me something. Having Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan in one film won’t guarantee a hit. Will it?
You will have to perform, right? You need a good script. Similarly, all these big names will have to come together and perform on the ground.
Rohit Sharma scored one century, and MI lost. Where are the rest of the performances?”
Sehwag further critiqued other team members, noting that Ishan Kishan, despite playing the entire season, often failed to make it past the Powerplay.
“Only two names are certainties at this stage for MI – Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav. They will be the top two names retained. And if it then boils down to the third or fourth option, we will see.”
MI vs LSG 2024 Match Recap
In their final match of the season, MI faced the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium.
Although both teams were out of the playoff race, they competed fiercely. MI lost the match by 18 runs, but Rohit Sharma delivered an impressive performance, scoring 68 off 38 balls. Hardik Pandya, on the other hand, was dismissed for 16.
As MI prepares for the IPL 2025 mega auction, the team’s management will need to make strategic decisions to rebuild and strengthen their squad.
The potential release of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya marks a significant shift, highlighting the franchise’s commitment to performance and future success.
With Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav likely to be retained, MI aims to blend experience with fresh talent to reclaim their dominant position in the league.
The Mumbai Indians are at a crossroads as they look ahead to the next IPL season. The possible release of high-profile players like Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya signifies a new direction for the team.
Under the guidance of cricket experts and management, MI will strive to build a squad that can perform consistently and bring back the glory days of one of the most successful franchises in IPL history.
The Information is taken from Livemint and Hindustan Times.
