Rohit, Rickelton To Open; Tilak, Pandya To Follow SKY, Jacks: Rating MI's Batting For IPL 2025

Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya & SKY (Source: @IPL/X.com, @CricCrazyJohns/X.com)

The five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), will be looking for their sixth title when they stride out to play in the 18th edition of the cash-rich league. However, before that, they will have to sort out their batting order and ensure they can cash in with their dynamic batting lineup.

Filled with a plethora of superstars, the MI side have only boosted their lineup with the addition of Ryan Rickelton and Bevon Jacobs, while also having the powerful Will Jacks in the middle, to their already experienced batting contingent consisting of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav.

So, therefore, with high-quality batters in the lineup, we will now rate Mumbai Indians' batting in three parts: the top-order batters, middle-order batters, and the finishers who can steal the game away in the death overs.

Rating MI's Top Order

Mumbai's mainstay opener, Rohit Sharma, has been opening for them since the past decade. However, this year he will have a new opening partner in the form of Ryan Rickelton, while Ishan Kishan is no longer a part of the squad.

This duo can wreak havoc in the power play, especially Rickelton, who has been in prime form for the past few months in international cricket and the SA20 2025. Rohit's experience at the top is invaluable and hence can go on to play selfless innings at the top to provide his team with a solid start without caring much about his wicket.

The number three is Suryakumar Yadav, who is one of the finest T20 batters of this era with shots all over the ground as he can lap, sweep and even cut on demand while managing extra pace and bounce with his delicate touches. Surya can also play as an anchor when required, while also being an aggressive middle-order enforcer. Therefore, now let us have a look at the stats of these three players.

MI Top Order Stats

Top Order Rating - 9.5/10

With plenty of experience and power-hitting ability with them, the top order has been rated 9.5 as they can cause some serious damage to the opposition, especially early in the power play.

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Rating MI's Middle Order

With the addition of Will Jacks, MI has only boosted their middle order, while Tilak Varma, who has played some sensational knocks for India in the T20Is since the past year, will also be crucial to their chances this season. Whereas, Naman Dhir, if he gets a chance, will be another significant aspect for them, who played some proper knocks in the last edition, while also striking big from ball one.

Moreover, Raj Angad Bawa and Krishnan Shrijith are also in the middle order but are unlikely to get any opportunities with these three more likely to feature regularly in the middle order's scheme of things.

Additionally, Tilak's ability to play long knocks and anchoring in the innings is something Mumbai really desires if they lose early wickets as the left-hander can pose a serious threat to the opposition with his spin-handling abilities as well.

Therefore, with all these three most likely to occupy the middle slots, let us have a look at their stats in the IPL.

MI Middle Order Stats

Middle Order Rating - 9/10

Because of their versatility and their ability to play spin, the middle order has been rated nine.

Rating MI's Lower Middle-Order/ Finishers

Now, talking about the most crucial aspect of any T20 innings are the death overs where maximum runs are required from a team. In this department, Mumbai are most likely to go ahead with New Zealand's new sensation, Bevon Jacobs, and skipper Hardik Pandya whore likely to score runs for them in the final overs of the game.

While Pandya is an astute finisher who has done the job again and again in all white-ball formats, Jacobs is fairly new to the professional circuit but has experience playing in the Super Smash where he has done this job excellently, and that is why he is in the lineup of Mumbai Indians.

However, his experience batting in Indian conditions can't be overlooked as wickets slowing down by the end of the season could pose a serious threat to the key power hitter. Additionally, there is Mitchell Santner in as well who is likely to play as a spin-bowling all-rounder but expect him to be batting a few deliveries in the death overs, that too in case Mumbai lose wickets early in the innings.

Therefore, Santner's role is also going to be crucial. The left-hander who has played cricket for quite some time is not new to this league and can play some decent shots when combined with his experience in these conditions. Moreover, Robin Minz is also present for the MI side but chances seem bleak for him to feature in the XI on a regular basis. Therefore, only these three have been considered with their stats mentioned below.

MI Lower Middle-Order/ Finishers Stats In IPL

Lower Middle Order/ Finishers Rating - 8/10

Because of their ability to strike big and long from ball one, they have been rated 8. But, the in-experience of Jacobs and Santner's limited batting chances in the IPL have also been considered in this regard.

Conclusion

Overall Batting Ratings - 9/10

After considering all the parameters, the Mumbai side are filled with power hitters and anchors who can steer the innings throughout the middle overs and in the death, whereas they are more likely to have solid powerplay starts with high-profile names at the top. So, because of their dominant lineup, they have been rated overall nine out of 10 in the batting department.

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