Mumbai Indians can sign many of their former players in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auctions after they were not retained by their 2024 franchises.
Five-time IPL champion Mumbai Indians opted to retain as many as five Indian players from the 2024 squad ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auctions. Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah signed an extension with MI for Rs 18 crore, whereas Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Tilak Varma were retained for Rs 16.35 crore, Rs 16.35 crore, Rs 16.30 crore, and Rs 8 crore, respectively. After the player retention was announced, MI also confirmed Hardik as captain for the 2025 edition of the cash-rich league.
After retaining their core of Indian players, the Mumbai-based franchise will look to sign quality overseas players as well as quite a few Indian stars in the mega auctions to strengthen the squad and present a strong case for the IPL title next year.
HereтАЩs a look at five former players MI can sign in the mega auctions:
Krunal Pandya: MI captain Hardik PandyaтАЩs elder brother Krunal played in the IPL for MI from 2016 to 2021, and in 84 matches he scored 1143 runs apart from dismissing 51 batters. The 33-year-old spin bowling all-rounder won many matches for MI during his six-year stint, and after he was released by LSG, Mumbai would like to bring him back in the team during the mega auctions.
Quinton de Kock: South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock joined MI from RCB in a trade deal ahead of IPL 2019 and played three seasons for the Mumbai-based franchise. In 43 IPL matches, he hammered 1329 runs and twice won the IPL title. He was also not retained by LSG despite scoring 901 runs in 30 matches for them.
Trent Boult: Trent Boult also joined MI in a trade deal. He was traded from the Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2020, and during his two-year association with the Mumbai-based franchise, the 35-year-old left-arm Kiwi pacer played 29 matches and dismissed 38 batters. Boult is one of the best bowlers of present times and is known for taking wickets with the new ball. He was associated with the Rajasthan Royals in the last three seasons and did so well, but despite that, RR released him.
Jos Buttler: EnglandтАЩs white-ball captain Jos Buttler made his IPL debut in 2016 for MI and played a couple of seasons for the Mumbai-based franchise under Rohit SharmaтАЩs leadership. He joined Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2018 mega auctions and in the last seven years hammered 3055 runs for them in 83 matches. Despite playing a big role in RRтАЩs success in the last few years, Buttler was not retained by the Jaipur-based team and will now be part of IPL 2025 mega auctions where MI can snap him. Buttler will be a good wicketkeeper as well as an opening batter option for MI after they parted ways with Ishan Kishan.
Yuzvendra Chahal: Star Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is the most successful bowler in IPL history. In 160 matches played so far, he has dismissed 205 batters. Chahal made his IPL debut in 2013 for MI but made a big name for himself in RCB and RR (highest wicket-taker for both teams). Despite taking mountains of wickets in the last three seasons of IPL for RR, the Sanju Samson-led side didnтАЩt retain Chahal, and he will be part of mega auctions now where MI can target him. MI missed the presence of a quality spinner in the last three seasons, and Chahal can fill the void.
In addition to them, Glenn Maxwell, Nitish Rana, Jitesh Sharma, and Ajinkya Rahane can also be targeted by MI in the mega auctions.
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