IPL 2025: Aakash Chopra picks Mumbai Indians' probable playing XI

Former India cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra has picked Mumbai Indians’ XI ahead of the 2025 IPL, which starts on March 22. Chopra highlighted that the Mumbai Indians think tank will have “two ways” of drafting their XI, depending on the availability of premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah.

Bumrah is set to miss the initial few matches as he is recovering from a stress-related back injury he sustained during the fifth and final Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney.

Chopra reckoned that one of the approaches for Mumbai Indians could be to open with Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma followed by Will Jacks at No. 3. He slotted in Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4 followed by Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Naman Dhir and Mtichell Santner in the subsequent positions. He named Bumrah, Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar as the pacers, suggesting for a bowler as an impact player.

"The playing XI can be made in two ways. The team has to decide what they want to do. One will be Ryan Rickelton with Rohit (Sharma). You can keep Will Jacks at No. 3, although it comes with its own set of issues as Suryakumar Yadav will go to No. 4, Tilak Varma to No. 5, Hardik Pandya to No. 6, and you will get Naman Dhir at No. 7," said Chopra on his YouTube channel.

"Then Mitchell Santner at No. 8. There is a lot of depth but everyone, except Rohit Sharma, is batting a spot lower than their spot. I am assuming Bumrah is fit, so you will find Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah after Santner, and you can include a bowler as the Impact Player," Chopra added.

However, Chopra reckoned for a shift in case of Bumrah’s unavailability, advising Hardik Pandya and Co. to opt for an overseas seamer or Mujeeb ur Rahman at the expense of Rickelton, with Jacks and Rohit taking the opening duties.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Jasprit Bumrah set to miss few games for Mumbai Indians

"However, if Bumrah isn't available or you feel you want to do something different, you can open with Rohit Sharma and Will Jacks, then Surya at No. 3, Tilak at No. 4, Hardik at No. 5, Naman Dhir at No. 6 and Robin Minz at No. 7. Then you can go with Mitchell Santner at No. 8, and then three fast bowlers, or else you can play Mujeeb Ur Rahman," he explained.

Chopra further elaborated on who could be the top performers for the team, predicting the contenders to top the run-scoring and wicket-taking charts.

"Who will score the most runs for this team? I thought Tilak Varma, but if he is batting down the order, maybe Will Jacks. Most wickets? I am thinking Trent Boult because he will play all matches. Robin Minz and Naman Dhir could be the players to watch out for, depending on how many opportunities they get," Chopra said.

Mumbai Indians will commence their campaign against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 23 in an away encounter.