Ishan was released by MI [Source: IPLT20.com, AP]
Mumbai Indians have emerged as an unstoppable force in the IPL 2025. Led by Hardik Pandya, the five-time champions had a torrid start to the season, losing four out of their first five matches. However, the managed to turn things around dramatically, securing six consecutive wins and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Considering MI finished the 2024 season as the tenth-placed side, their resurgence is extraordinary, to say the least. As their rise continues to grab the limelight, here are three mega auction masterstrokes that weaved magic for the five-time title winners.
1. Signing Of Ryan Rickelton Over Ishan Kishan
Criterion | Ishan | Rickelton |
Innings | 9 | 11 |
Runs | 183 | 334 |
Average | 26.14 | 33.40 |
Strike Rate | 153.78 | 153.92 |
(Stats of Ishan and Rickelton in IPL 2025)
- In a surprising move, MI released their high-budget keeper-batter Ishan Kishan and purchased the promising Ryan Rickelton in last year's mega auction. While Ishan bagged a lucrative deal worth INR 11.25 Crores, MI invested only 1 Crore in Rickelton.
- The move eventually did the trick for MI, with Rickelton stepped up as one of their most prolific batters in the IPL 2025. On the other hand, Ishan has struggled a lot for the Orange Army, letting the team down with successive failures.
2. Trent Boult's Homecoming
- It didn't surprise many when Mumbai Indians' brought Trent Boult back into the side, seeking an evolved performance from their pace battery. It's needless to say how Boult's absence hampered MI's IPL campaigns in 2023 and 2024, weakening their fast bowling, something that is perceived as one of their strongest areas over the years.
- MI released several non-performing fast bowlers, including the injury-prone Gerald Coetzee and purchased Boult for a whopping amount of INR 12.5 Crore in the mega auction.
- This bold move allowed them to form a formidable fast bowling quartet comprising Bumrah, Boult, Deepak Chahar and Hardik Pandya. Boult has been one of the most outstanding performers for MI this season, scalping 16 wickets in just 11 matches.
Karn Sharma Back; No Piyush Chawla
- Mumbai Indians replaced Piyush Chawla with experienced leg spinner Karn Sharma ahead of the IPL 2025 season.
- Despite having Mitchell Santner in their squad, the MI think tank cleverly utilised Karn's experience and ability to turn the game on slightly spin-friendly conditions. In three innings, Sharma has scalped six wickets at an unbelievable strike rate of 10.
- In fact, it was Karn Sharma who bagged a three-wicket haul and gave MI the much-needed momentum to uplift their game in the tournament. That three-fer helped them bounce back against DC, instilling the belief they needed for a fairy-tale comeback in the IPL 2025.