As the IPL 2025 season approaches, the Mumbai Indians (MI) are set to rely heavily on their all-rounders to navigate through the tournament’s challenges. All-rounders are often the key to a team’s success, providing balance and versatility. Here, we explore three all-rounders from MI who are expected to feature in the majority of matches, showcasing their skills with both bat and ball.
Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya, the captain of Mumbai Indians, is not just a player but the heartbeat of the team. Despite a challenging IPL 2024, where he managed to score 216 runs in 14 matches with a highest score of 46, his role as an all-rounder remains pivotal. With an average of 18 and a strike rate of 143.05, Pandya’s ability to accelerate the innings in the middle and lower order has been a hallmark of his play. His bowling, securing 11 wickets in the same number of matches, adds another dimension to his utility. Leadership often comes with its set of pressures, and while the 2024 season saw him under scrutiny, Pandya’s experience, resilience, and knack for performing in clutch moments make him indispensable. His fitness, leadership, and all-round capabilities will be tested, but if history is any indication, Hardik Pandya is expected to rise to the occasion, making him a lock for most matches in IPL 2025.
Mitchell Santner
Mitchell Santner might not capture headlines with his batting, but his contributions with the ball and in the field are invaluable. In IPL 2024, he played 10 matches, scoring 72 runs and taking 6 wickets. His career in the IPL so far includes 18 matches with a highest score of 22, proving that while his batting might not be his strongest suit, his bowling and fielding are where he truly shines. Santner’s ability to bowl tight spells, especially in the middle overs, can often turn the tide in a match. His left-arm spin offers a contrast to many teams, making him a strategic choice for captains looking to control the game’s pace. For Mumbai Indians, his experience, particularly in international cricket and on Indian pitches, adds depth to their bowling attack, ensuring he will be a regular in the lineup for IPL 2025.
Will Jacks
Will Jacks, with his explosive batting and useful bowling, has quickly become a name to watch in the IPL. In just 8 matches in IPL 2024, he scored an impressive 230 runs, including a century and a half-century, at an average of 32.86. This showcases his potential to be a game-changer with the bat. On the bowling front, Jacks managed to take 2 wickets in 4 innings with a strike rate of 18.00, indicating he’s still developing but can offer crucial breakthroughs. His aggressive batting style can dismantle any bowling attack on his day, making him a strategic asset in the powerplay or death overs. Jacks’s versatility, combined with the fact that he’s still early in his IPL career, suggests Mumbai Indians will look to give him ample opportunities to grow, likely leading to him playing most matches in IPL 2025. His ability to adapt and improve will be key to MI’s strategy.
The All-Round Influence
These three all-rounders are not just players but are expected to be the linchpins of MI’s campaign in IPL 2025. The all-rounder’s role in T20 cricket is about providing balance, flexibility, and the ability to win matches from various positions. Hardik Pandya’s leadership and experience, Mitchell Santner’s bowling control, and Will Jacks’s youthful exuberance and potential make them central to MI’s plans.
The Pillars of Mumbai’s Ambitions
For Mumbai Indians, the 2025 season is not just about winning matches but about re-establishing their dominance in the IPL. With Pandya leading from the front, Santner providing the glue in the middle overs, and Jacks offering dynamism with the bat, MI has a potent mix of experience and youth. Their performances will be critical in navigating through the highs and lows of the tournament, potentially deciding Mumbai’s fate in the race for the IPL trophy. As fans and analysts watch closely, these all-rounders could very well be the players who define MI’s journey in IPL 2025.
