Mumbai Indians Likely to Target Yuzvendra Chahal to Strengthen their Bowling for IPL 2025: Akash Chopra’s Prediction

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Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have kept a strong core of players ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, with Jasprit Bumrah as their top retention. Since the IPL 2022 mega auction, MI has struggled with its bowling lineup, only reaching the playoffs once in the last four years. This year, MI has a solid batting core and aims to strengthen its bowling. Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra believes MI will target Indian spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar to balance the squad.

Mumbai Indians to target spinner Yuzvendra Chahal

Aakash Chopra thinks that after retaining players like Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, MI needs to boost its bowling depth, especially after struggling to defend high scores last season.

Chopra said, “Their batting has become strong once again. The problem is that they have only one bowler, who is a four-over bank, but you need more bowlers. Bowling let them down last time as well. They used to score runs, 225 to 250, but used to concede that many as well.”

Chahal, currently one of India’s top spinners, previously played for MI in his debut IPL season in 2013. Rajasthan Royals released him ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction and don’t have an RTM (Right to Match) card available, making him a potential target for MI. Aakash Chopra feels that MI might make a strong bid for Chahal to add much-needed spin depth to their attack.

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Washington Sundar as Another Option

Washington Sundar could also be a target for MI. His all-round skills would add spin and strengthen the lower-order batting. Chopra noted that while MI might focus on Chahal, they could also consider Sundar.

MI’s Auction Budget and Strategy

After retaining the five key players including Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma now MI has a remaining purse of INR 45 crore, allowing them to afford one or two high-profile players. As MI heads into the IPL 2025 mega auction, their focus will be on strengthening their bowling attack with spinners like Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar.