IPL 2025: MI Captain Hardik Pandya Expresses Confidence in New Team Roster
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New Delhi, Dec 2 (NationPress) Hardik Pandya, the captain of the five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians, stated he maintained close communication with the coaching team about the players he desired from the recent mega auction held in Jeddah, feeling that the roster for the 2025 season has turned out exceptionally well.
During last month's auction, MI acquired seasoned international players including Trent Boult, Will Jacks, Ryan Rickleton, Mitchell Santner, Lizaad Williams, and Reece Topley, along with domestic talents like Deepak Chahar, Naman Dhir, Robin Minz, Karn Sharma, Raj Angad Bawa, and others. They also picked up lesser-known players such as Allah Ghazanfar, Bevon Jacobs, Vignesh Puthur, and Venkata Satyanarayana Raju.
"I was in touch with the table regarding exactly who we were targeting, and I believe we emerged quite successfully from the auction regarding how the team is shaping up. We’ve discovered the right blend, featuring experienced players like Boulty returning and Deepak Chahar, who is well-established, alongside promising newcomers like Will Jacks, Robin Minz, and Rickleton, who bring fresh energy. Overall, I think we've done remarkably well and covered all our bases," Hardik conveyed in a video shared across MI’s social media platforms.
He also discussed the unpredictable nature of auctions which significantly influence team compositions for an IPL season. "The dynamics of the auction are always complicated. Watching it live is thrilling, with emotions fluctuating, as you may desire a player but occasionally miss out. It's crucial to remain level-headed, as ultimately, we need to build an entire team."
With MI looking to recover in 2025 after finishing at the bottom of the points table last season, Hardik extended a personal message to the newcomers, who were identified through the franchise’s extensive scouting efforts.
"My message to all the young talents joining Mumbai Indians this year is that your presence here indicates you possess the spark and talent recognized by our scouts. They discovered me, as well as Jasprit, Krunal, and Tilak, all of whom eventually represented the country.
"You just need to show up, train diligently, and the best part is that Mumbai Indians provides the facilities to help you thrive. There will be new faces coming from different franchises, and as Mumbai Indians, we are committed to ensuring they feel at home and that they truly belong here," he concluded.
