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Heartbreak For Allah Ghazanfar In IPL 2025? 3 MI Players Who Might Keep 18-Year-Old Sidelines

Ritam

Allah Ghazanfar represented KKR in IPL 2024 (Source: @imYash07/X)Allah Ghazanfar represented KKR in IPL 2024 (Source: @imYash07/X)

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Allah Ghazanfar, Afghanistan's latest 18-year-old spin sensation, has made a lot of headlines lately, particularly since bagging INR 4.8 crore-contract in IPL 2025 mega auction. IPL 2024 champions Kolkata Knight Riders tried hard to keep him, but it was Mumbai Indians who had the last laugh to secure the Afghanistan prodigy.

Ghazanfar has been the talk of the town on Saturday as well, as his exceptional figures -- 10-0-33-5 -- kept Zimbabwe in the bay during their third and final ODI against Afghanistan in Harare. However, the biggest question is will he get a game time for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025? The answer is probably no. Who could be the obstacles? Let's analyse the subject here.

1. Mitchell Santner

The biggest competitor for Ghazanfar would be New Zealand's Mitchell Santner, who did not get many chances while playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the past. Santner has been exceptional lately with both and ball for New Zealand, and he keeps on reaping the rewards across formats.

Considering the fact that Santner can give an extra batting option for Mumbai Indians, as well as his extremely economical bowling prowess, don't be surprised if the Kiwi star gets the game time from the very first match of the season in the upcoming edition.

2. Lizaad Williams

Mumbai Indians have a history of going with two fast-bowling overseas options. They had the likes of Mitchell McClenaghan, James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter-Nile to support Trent Boult or Lasith Malinga in several editions, and keeping Wankhede's familiar pace-friendly conditions in mind, they might bring one of Lizaad Williams and Reece Topley in their playing XI.

With Boult already there, Lizaad, South Africa's speedster, could get a nod ahead of Topley as both the Kiwi and England stars are left-arm quicks. They might look for more variety instead.

3. Ryan Rickelton

If Mumbai opt Ryan Rickelton to open alongside Rohit Sharma, they might go for a Rickelton-Will Jacks-Santner-Boult as four overseas options. If that happens, Ghazanfar's chances to make the cut gets shattered.

The history says Mumbai Indians don't like too much experiments with their lineup irrespective of their results. Hence, if they form a core overseas unit before the start of the season, it won't be much of a surprise if Ghazanfar remains on the bench for the entire season. Perhaps he is a acquisition who can be extremely worthy in the times to come.