Ex-CSK Pacer In; No Jasprit Bumrah Due To Injury? MI's Strongest XI For IPL 2025

Probuddha Bhattacharjee∙ Updated: Jan 5 2025, 12:00 PM

Jasprit Bumran and Hardik Pandya For MI [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]Jasprit Bumran and Hardik Pandya For MI [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

One of the major setbacks for the Indian team during the fifth and final Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 was the injury of their prime pacer Jasprit Bumrah. The main pacer of the Indian team has suffered a back spasm and left the ground with the coaching staff to get a scan. 

The Indian pacer has suffered an injury before also and missed IPL 2022 as a result of that. With the workload he has taken during the BGT 2024-25 there are chances that the injury could aggravate for the pacer and he could be ruled out from the tournament. If Jasprit Bumrah is not a part of the tournament here is how MI's strongest playing XI could look. 

Rohit Sharma And Rickelton At The Top

Rohit Sharma will expectedly open the innings for the team in IPL 2025. Ryan Rickelton, who has been purchased during the IPL 2025 auction will partner him at the top. Rohit-Rickelton look like the best opening pair at present for the five time IPL champions.

Dynamic Middle Order

Suryakumar Yadav wil be expected to lead MI's middle order [Source: @10Sportstv/x.com]Suryakumar Yadav wil be expected to lead MI's middle order [Source: @10Sportstv/x.com]

With Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, And Hardik Pandya in the middle order it looks very dynamic and flexible. In this batting line-up there is enough fire power and also there are players who can adjust to the playing conditions and change the complexion of the game. Naman Dhir who was seen batting in the top-order last year will also add to the depth of this line-up.

Struggle For Balance In The Bowling Attack

The absence of Jasprit Bumrah will definitely create an imbalance in the team's bowling attack. With the ace pacer gone, Mumbai Indians will have to fill up with an extra spinner like Karn Sharma or the replacement that they will get for Bumrah will be playing for them. If Karn Sharma plays, then Arjun Tendulkar could be their impact player. However, if they include the substitute for Bumrah in the side, then Karn Sharma or that player could come out as the impact substitute.

Mumbai Indians' Strongest Playing 12 Without Jasprit Bumrah

Rohit Sharma
Ryan Rickelton ✈️
Will Jacks ✈️
Suryakumar Yadav
Tilak Varma
Naman Dhir
Hardik Pandya (C)
Mitchell Santner ✈️
Karn Sharma
Trent Boult ✈️
Deepak Chahar
Arjun Tendulkar