IPL 2025: MI SWOT Analysis

Mumbai Indians (MI) are one of the most successful teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history, with five titles. In 2024, they had a forgettable season, finishing 10th under Hardik Pandya’s leadership with just four wins in 14 games. 

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However, with a 23-member squad, they will aim to bounce back and win the tournament for the sixth time. Before the mega auction, they retained Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik, Rohit Sharma, and Tilak Varma. 

Despite a weak spin-bowling unit, the squad looks settled, but whether these players click together, remains to be seen. 

1. MI’s Strengths

A strong core, including Rohit, Hardik, Suryakumar, Bumrah, and Tilak, will be a key factor once again. A new opening pair is likely, with explosive batter Will Jacks or South African wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton potentially partnering Rohit. 

The middle order will be MI’s main strength, with Suryakumar at number three, followed by Tilak, and then skipper Hardik to provide strong finishes. 

Another strength of the squad is the lethal pace bowling unit. India’s star pacer, Bumrah, will lead the attack alongside Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar. Boult is known for his destructive powerplay overs, and Chahar will support him, showcasing the quality he has proven over the years in this tournament.      

2. MI’s Weaknesses

After the auction, MI fans were disappointed with the lack of quality spinners in the squad for the upcoming season. Given the available options, they could have done better. However, with players like Mitchell Santner or Allah Ghazanfar, it seems the Kiwi spinner might be preferred due to his all-round abilities. 

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The lack of proper backup players is another concern that could impact MI’s season. The uncapped and young Indian players lack the experience needed to perform at this level. 

Hardik had a tough year as captain last season, so this could be an opportunity for redemption. However, if he crumbles under pressure again, it could become another weakness for MI.

3. MI’s Opportunities

In the last edition, MI handed the captaincy to Hardik instead of Rohit, and fans were vocal about their displeasure on match days. It was a disastrous season, and ahead of the upcoming edition, reports suggested the captaincy might return to Rohit or Suryakumar could take over. 

However, MI showed faith in Hardik and announced that the team would once again play under his leadership. This is a big opportunity for him to redeem himself and bring back glory to the franchise and fans. 

For Rohit, it’s a chance to shine as an opener. Recently, he has struggled to score in all formats, so a strong IPL season with the bat could bring a lot of joy to the MI fanbase.   

4. MI’s Threats

Last year, Hardik failed to build the necessary bond with the MI fanbase, and if that continues, it will be a major concern. Under that pressure, things could become messy. The available spinners need to support the pacers and help create consistent pressure on the opposition. 

Otherwise, the pacers may struggle to maintain consistency throughout the tournament. Another threat could be over-dependence on the middle-order batters. 

With the power-hitting abilities of Suryakumar, Hardik, and Tilak, fans will expect a lot from them. However, if they fail, it will be difficult for MI to perform well.

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