IPL 2025: "I think we've done..." - Hardik Pandya's bold verdict on MI's auction performance

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has shared his satisfaction with the team's strategy during the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, saying they have "found the right mix" of players. He also highlighted the franchise's approach of combining experienced players with fresh talent to have a balanced squad for the upcoming IPL 2025.

Hardik Pandya acknowledged both the players who had been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians but were not retained and the new faces joining the squad ahead of the next season. Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, MI had retained Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Tilak Varma.

Hardik Pandya praises Mumbai Indians' balanced strategy as they found 'right mix' of players at IPL 2025 Mega Auction

And then at the auction, the five-time IPL champions acquired well-known faces like Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar and young, talented players like Will Jacks, Robin Minz, and Ryan David Rickelton. Allah Ghazanfar, Mitchell Santner, Naman Dhir, Lizaad Williams, and Reece Topley were also snapped up by the Mumbai franchise at the two-day event in Jeddah last month.

Read Also: Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah abstain from Mumbai Indians' farewell to Ishan Kishan

Reflecting on the IPL 2025 auction, Hardik Pandya compared the experience to a rollercoaster ride, describing the event as unpredictable and emotionally charged. The Indian all-rounder has further emphasized the importance of staying composed during the auction. He also revealed that he was in regular touch with the coaching staff regarding the players he wanted.

Hardik Pandya said in a video posted by MI on X: “I was in touch with the table as well, exactly who we are going for, and I think we came out pretty well from the auction and how the team is looking. We have found the right mix, which is experienced players, like Boulty, who is back; Deepak Chahar, who has been around; and, at the same time, young guns like Will Jacks, Robin Minz, and Rickelton, who are fresh. So, I think we have done pretty well. We have covered all the bases.”

Hardik Pandya motivates young talent at Mumbai Indians with an encouraging message

The Mumbai Indians skipper also shared a message for the young talent joining the franchise ahead of the next season. Pandya urged all the young players to work hard and said that the franchise offers the best facilities to help them develop into top cricketers, recalling his own experience when he was discovered by the franchise and the rest is history.

Hardik further mentioned, “My message to all the young guns who are joining the Mumbai Indians this year is that if you are here, you have that spark, you have that talent, which the scouts have seen. They found me, they found Jasprit, they found Krunal, they found Tilak. They all eventually played for the country.”

Read Also: IPL 2025: Deepak Chahar unhappy with MI signing? Pacer 'wanted to join MS Dhoni's CSK'

The MI captain signed off by saying, “All you have to do is show up, train, and work hard, and the best part is that the Mumbai Indians have the facility to make them flourish. There are new faces who are going to come from new franchises. As Mumbai Indians, we’re going to make sure that they feel at home and that they belong here.”

Watch Hardik Pandya's reaction to MI's shopping at IPL 2025 Auction Here:

𝐀𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐩 ft. 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐤 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲𝐚 💙 🤌#MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians #TATAIPLAuction | @hardikpandya7 pic.twitter.com/vpyxOE4SVz

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 2, 2024