The Mumbai Indians (MI) have consistently been one of the IPL’s most successful franchises, known for their strategic team-building and ability to adapt. However, the IPL 2025 mega auction has brought significant changes, with MI parting ways with key players. Among those, Ishan Kishan and Nuwan Thushara stand out as players whose absence might be keenly felt by the team. Their departure not only alters MI’s lineup but also poses strategic challenges that could influence the team’s performance in the upcoming season.
Ishan Kishan –
Ishan Kishan’s move away from MI marks the end of a significant chapter for both the player and the franchise. Since joining MI in 2018, Kishan had grown into one of their pivotal players, especially after becoming their primary wicketkeeper. His ability to open the innings with explosive starts or consolidate in the middle order was a testament to his versatility. In IPL 2024, Kishan scored 320 runs with a strike rate of 145.45, showcasing his value both as a batsman and behind the stumps.
Kishan’s departure leaves Mumbai Indians without an established Indian wicketkeeper-batsman who can also handle the pressure of opening or batting in the middle order. His flair for big hits in the powerplay, combined with his agility in wicketkeeping, made him a unique asset. MI now faces the challenge of finding a similar dynamic player, potentially relying on less experienced or less proven options like Robin Minz or Ryan Rickelton. The team will need to adapt its batting strategy, especially in terms of setting aggressive or defensive tones at the start of innings, which Kishan was adept at doing.
Nuwan Thushara –
Nuwan Thushara, although not as high-profile as Kishan, had begun to make a name for himself in the MI setup with his unique bowling action and effectiveness in the death overs. His acquisition in the IPL 2024 auction was seen as a strategic move to bolster MI’s bowling, particularly in the final overs where they sometimes struggled. Thushara’s ability to bowl yorkers and slower balls with precision made him a valuable asset in a league where the last few overs can define matches.
His release means MI loses a bowler who was gradually integrating into their plans, especially on pitches where swing and pace variations are crucial. With established names like Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult in their ranks, MI’s pace attack still looks strong, but Thushara’s role was unique, providing both backup and competition. His absence might lead MI to lean heavily on their main pacers, potentially exhausting them in a long tournament, or they might need to scout for another bowler who can replicate Thushara’s death bowling skills, which is no small task given his natural talent for it.
The absence of Ishan Kishan and Nuwan Thushara could be felt deeply by Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025. Kishan’s all-round capabilities and Thushara’s specialized bowling skills were not just about their direct contributions but also about the strategic balance they brought to the team. MI will need to navigate through this season with new players stepping up or with tactical adjustments to fill these voids. The challenge for MI will be to maintain their reputation for adaptability and success, potentially innovating in their approach to compensate for the loss of such impactful players.
