IPL 2025: Rohit Sharma's new opening partner finalized as Ex-India star picks Mumbai Indians XI

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has stirred up excitement with his predictions for Mumbai Indians (MI) after the conclusion of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Kaif picked a dynamic batting order for the five-time IPL champions, suggesting Tilak Varma and Rohit Sharma as the new opening pair.

The former cricketer believes that this move could set the stage for explosive starts, with Suryakumar Yadav slotting in at No. 3, a position where the Indian skipper consistently delivered match-winning performances for Mumbai in the IPL.

Mohammad Kaif predicts Tilak Varma and Rohit Sharma to open for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025

He further suggested that young talents Naman Dhir or Robin Minz can be slotted at No. 4, and that’s where the commentator feels the Mumbai Indians (MI) lack the experience for the next edition of the T20 league.

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Mohammad Kaif further opined that the Mumbai Indians skipper and all-rounder Hardik Pandya is likely to anchor the innings at No. 5, bringing both stability and firepower. Will Jacks, a versatile player with a knack for finishing strong, could find himself batting at No. 6 for Mumbai.

Mohammad Kaif said on Star Sports: “Will Jacks will have to come down the order. I see Tilak Varma and Rohit Sharma opening this time. After that, Suryakumar Yadav will come in at No. 3. He always plays at No. 3 and generally plays well too. You can keep Hardik Pandya around No. 5, and Jacks will come after that.”

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While discussing the Mumbai Indians’ overall performance at the IPL 2025 mega auction, Kaif lauded their efforts in assembling a strong core, emphasizing their remarkable improvement from Day 1 to Day 2 of the mega event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Kaif added, “Naman Dhir is also there. So, these are the six. You will have to get a young batter here (potentially Robin Minz as a wicketkeeper-batter). One batter might not be that well known. So, one thing is lacking there, but they made a good comeback from yesterday (Day 1) to today (Day 2).”

Speaking about the Mumbai Indians' bowling attack, Mohammad Kaif highlighted their strength and balance ahead of IPL 2025. The former Indian batter believes that the five-time IPL champions MI is packed with proven match-winners, barring one or two exceptions.

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Mohammad Kaif hails Mumbai Indians' strong bowling attack

Kaif has further noted that Mumbai’s bowling attack looks well-equipped, with Deepak Chahar bringing his expertise from his successful stint with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the formidable pace duo of Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah forming a lethal combination for them.

He also acknowledged Hardik Pandya’s contributions as a bowler while pointing out that the inclusion of Mitchell Santner has significantly strengthened Mumbai's spin department, which had been a weak spot for the past few seasons in the IPL. Overall, Kaif feels the MI look like a formidable team on paper, with a solid lineup ready to make an impact in the IPL 2025.

Kaif signed off by saying, “If you leave aside one or two players, all their players are proven match-winners. The bowling is sorted. Deepak Chahar bowls very well. He has done that for Chennai. You will see Trent Boult and Bumrah bowling together. Hardik Pandya is also bowling. The one weakness the Mumbai Indians had was spin. Santner's inclusion has resolved that issue to a large extent. Mumbai has a very solid team on paper.”

Here's Mohammad Kaif's predicted MI XI (with Impact Player):

Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Naman Dhir. Hardik Pandya, Will Jacks, Robin Minz, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Allah Ghazanfar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boul.