Aakash Chopra backs Mumbai Indians to qualify for IPL 2025 playoffs

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has predicted that Mumbai Indians will qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs after assembling a potent squad at the mega auction. The five-time champions finished as the cellar-dwellers in the previous edition of the lucrative tournament and they will be determined to turn the tables.

Before the auction, MI had retained their core as they kept the services of Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma and Jasprit Bumrah.

At the auction, Mumbai Indians bought players like Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar and Will Jacks.

“The first 12 is looking good. You can push till 13 also but the backup is not that good in the rest of their squad. Unfortunately, the backup is not good for anyone. Fitness will be a concern. The make or break will be whether the Mumbai Indians bowling unit can remain fit,” Aakash Chopra said on YouTube Channel.

The renowned commentator feels MI should reach the final four if everyone stays fit throughout the tournament.

“If everyone remains fit, this team should actually make it to the final four. I will be extremely surprised if they don’t reach the final four. To be very honest, I was surprised last year as well. It seemed things were not right last time but now I think the MI family is together,” Chopra added.

Chopra feels MI will need to win five out of their seven matches while playing at their home ground of the Wankhede Stadium.

“A lot of focus will be on making Wankhede their fortress again. Considering their team’s setup, they will have to win at least five of the seven matches at the Wankhede. They can win six also. They have that kind of team,” he said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator feels MI will back Mitchell Santner when they will play on the road.

“The spin resources might look slightly less when they go away. You might see Mitchell Santner playing there and the batting may change a little bit. However, home will be an important aspect,” Chopra observed.

Mumbai Indians squad:

Batters: Suryakumar Yadav (retained), Rohit Sharma (retained), Tilak Varma (retained), Bevan-John Jacobs.

Wicketkeepers: Robin Minz, Ryan Rickelton, Krishnan Shrijith.

Allrounders: Hardik Pandya (pace; retained), Naman Dhir (spin; RTM), Will Jacks (spin), Raj Angad Bawa (pace), Vignesh Puthur (spin), Mitchell Santner (spin).

Spinners: Allah Ghazanfar, Karn Sharma. 

Fast bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah (retained), Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Ashwani Kumar, Reece Topley, Satyanarayana Raju, Arjun Tendulkar, Lizaad Williams.