3 Mumbai Indians Stars Who Need To Silence Critics In IPL 2025

Abhinav Tyagi

Rohit Sharma and MI - (Source:@Johns/X.com)Rohit Sharma and MI - (Source:@Johns/X.com)

IPL 2025 begins in less than two weeks as ten teams will lock horns against each other with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match on March 22.

It is a crucial season for every team as they have their own reasons. While RCB are eyeing their maiden IPL title, Dhoni playing his final season for CSK, MI too have a point to prove as they finished last in IPL last year.

The five-time winners, who have a reputation of at least qualifying for the playoffs, dealt a shock as they registered a terrible season under Hardik Pandya's leadership. Besides the team, several individuals too had a season to forget. Thus, this article will shed light on three players who have a point to prove in IPL 2025.

1. Hardik Pandya

First and foremost, Hardik Pandya has the biggest point to prove going into IPL 2025. Pandya, who has garnered a heap of praise for his performance with the Indian team, had a contrasting IPL season last year.

He was the centre of trolls and excessive hate for succeeding Rohit Sharma as MI captain. Further, things got worse when he couldn't deliver as a captain and the Indians finished last with just four wins in the tournament. 

He scored just 216 runs in 14 matches and took 11 wickets with the ball. While his performance as a bowler was good, he need to prove his worth as a great leader and also take responsibility with the bat for the Indians. 

Hardik's Performance in IPL 2024

Criteria
Data
Matches14
Runs216
Wickets11


2. Rohit Sharma

India captain Rohit returned to form when it mattered the most as he played a match-winning knock in Champions Trophy 2025 final to help India win the title. The hitman is known for scoring runs in ICC events and help the Men in Blue with the bat. 

However, he looks a pale shadow of his version when it comes to the IPL. Rohit has proved himself as a leader with five trophies, but the batter in him has taken a backseat in the last few years, which is why the Indians had appointed Hardik as the captain to ease off pressure off Rohit's shoulders. 

However, in IPL 2024, Rohit did better than some of his previous seasons and scored 417 runs with the bat that included a century and a fifty. Although, the hitman is known for his runs in the IPL and he needs to break that 600+ runs barrier and help MI win their sixth IPL title with the bat. 

Rohit Sharma IPL Stats In 2024

Criteria
Data
Matches14
Runs417
Average32.08
Strike Rate150
100/501/1

3. Deepak Chahar

Another star player who has a point to prove is Deepak Chahar. The former CSK star was bought for 9.25 crores by the Indian. The five-times winners are eyeing to form a formidable bowling pair with Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Trent Boult. 

However, Chahar needs to prove his fitness and announce to the world that he is fit to play the entire season. The right-arm seamer has a long history of injuries and has become a laughing stock for his frequent injuries during IPL seasons.

Chahar played just eight games for CSK in 2024 and 10 matches in 2023. Further, he missed the entire 2022 because of injuries. So, in his last three seasons, Chahar has played just 18 matches.