RCB Vs MI - Who Has Better Spin Attack In IPL 2025?

Suyash to lead RCB spin department and Santner to lead MI [Source: @ImTanujSingh/X.Com] Suyash to lead RCB spin department and Santner to lead MI [Source: @ImTanujSingh/X.Com]

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) were two franchises who had a quiet day 1 of the IPL auctions, but they accelerated on day 2 and invested heavily in their side ahead of the next season.

Both the franchises have built a brilliant team which each focusing on different aspects. While Mumbai focused on a quality spin department and a pacer to support Jasprit Bumrah, RCB wanted a foreign seam bowler and needed to strengthened their middle-order.

The two did manage to achieve it, and in this piece, we will analyse their spin department and will see which team has better spinners - MI or RCB?.

RCB Vs MI: Spin department overview

RCB spin department overview

Spinner Name
Nationality
Suyash SharmaIndian
Krunal PandyaIndian
Mohit RatheeIndian
Krunal PandyaIndian
Liam LivingstoneEngland

Ever since Yuzvendra Chahal left in the 2022 season, RCB have failed to replace the wily leg spinner in their side. They tried out Wanindu Hasaranga and others, but none of them produced the magic which Chahal did. This season, their lead spinner will be Suyash Sharma.

While he is a brilliant craftsman, but he is also inexperienced and could be exposed if the batters target him in the match.

Apart from Suyash, RCB have Krunal Pandya, a brilliant option to contain runs, but is he a wicket-taking bowler? They also have Liam Livingstone, who has improved his leg-break bowling and could be the X-factor with the ball for RCB.

Mohit Rathee is an unknown commodity and will he get game-time in the upcoming season? That's a doubt. Overall, the attack lacks the cutting-edge since there is no experienced and wicket-taking spinner and the onus will fall on a young, but talented Suyash.

MI Spin department overview

Spinner name
Nationality
Karn SharmaIndian
Mitch SantnerNew Zealand
Allah GhazanfarAfghanistan
Will JacksEngland

For a change, Mumbai have invested wisely in their spin department. They have snatched Karn Sharma, who was a part of the Bengaluru team, and has previously played for the Mumbai Indians.

However, their two most interesting buys have been Mitch Santner and newest Afghan sensation, Allah Ghazanfar. Santner is one of the most underrated spinners in town and Ghazanfar recently wreaked havoc against Bangladesh.

Plus, the acquisition of Will Jacks adds another layer to their spin lineup. He can chip in with quality 2-3 overs and Mumbai certainly have their options ready for next season.

RCB vs MI: Spin department variations

RCB have two leg-spinners in their side in Suyash, and Livingstone, but in Krunal Pandya, they do not have an attacking spinner. While Krunal's tactics will work in spin friendly conditions, but at the smaller ground like Chinnaswamy, you need wicket takers, and not someone who can only contain runs.

However, that's not the case with Mumbai. In Karn Sharma, Mitch Santner and Allah Ghazanfar, they have three wicket-taking options. Santner is a street-smart cricketer and Ghazanfar is still a mystery for many. Watch out for those two as MI have a variation in the spin department.

Conclusion

Mumbai Indians have a variation in their spin department and have bowlers who can take wickets at any surface. The same cannot be said about RCB, who lack experience and wicket-taking options.

As a result, it can be concluded that Mumbai Indians have a better spin department as compared to Royal Challengers.