1. Openers
Candidates
Analysis
Rohit Sharma brings unmatched experience: 7,046 career runs (#2 all-time), 302 career sixes (#1), 47 fifties (#2), and 267 innings (#1 most played). His 2025 form was solid with 418 runs at 27.87 and 26 top-order fifties (#1 from top-order-fifties-2025 leaderboard).
| Rohit's Best Opponents | Runs | Average | Assessment |
|---|
| vs KKR | 1,083 | 38.68 | Career-best |
| vs DC | 1,057 | 31.09 | Consistent |
| vs CSK | 972 | 31.35 | Solid |
Concern Rohit's 18 career ducks rank #1 in IPL history (
duck players). Early dismissals remain a risk.
Quinton De Kock is back where he belongs. His 140* vs KKR ranks #2 highest individual score ever. The left-right combination with Rohit provides balance against both pace and spin.
| De Kock's Best Opponents | Runs | Average | Assessment |
|---|
| vs RR | 468 | 46.80 | Elite |
| vs KKR | 455 | 35.00 | Strong |
| vs RCB | 456 | 35.08 | Consistent |
Recommendation
Primary: Rohit Sharma + Quinton De Kock - proven title-winning combination
Backup: Ryan Rickelton (150.97 SR - explosive option)
2. Top Order (No. 3-4)
Candidates
Analysis
Suryakumar Yadav had a phenomenal 2025: 717 runs at 65.18 average (#1 from batting-average-2025 leaderboard), 167.92 strike rate, 38 sixes (#3), and 109.45 consistency rating (#2). His 2 centuries in 2025 rank #4 (
top order centuries).
| SKY's Best Opponents | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|
| vs GT | 316 | 52.67 | 173.63 |
| vs RR | 512 | 42.67 | 147.13 |
| vs RCB | 505 | 36.07 | 155.38 |
| vs SRH | 500 | 38.46 | 155.28 |
Strength SKY's consistency rating of 109.45 ranks #2 in IPL 2025 (
consistency rating). Unlike explosive but inconsistent hitters, he delivers reliably match after match.
Tilak Varma provides left-handed balance with 0.65 consistency CV (#3 career from batting-consistency-champions-career leaderboard). His specialist opponent records show potential:
| Tilak's Best Opponents | Runs | Average | Assessment |
|---|
| vs RCB | 156 | 78.00! | Specialist |
| vs SRH | 169 | 56.33 | Strong |
| vs CSK | 169 | 56.33 | Strong |
| vs RR | 222 | 55.50 | Excellent |
Strength Tilak's 78.00 average against RCB makes him essential for Bengaluru fixtures.
Recommendation
No. 3: Suryakumar Yadav - #1 batting average 2025
No. 4: Tilak Varma - consistency (#3 career), RCB specialist (78.00 avg)
Backup: Will Jacks (GT specialist - 77.00 avg), Naman Dhir (180.65 SR)
3. Middle Order (No. 5-7)
Candidates
Analysis
Hardik Pandya is the premier Indian all-rounder. His 2025 highlights include #1 lower-order average (74.00 from lower-order-average-2025 leaderboard), #5 lower-order SR (217.65), 5/36 best bowling figures (#2 from best-bowling-figures-2025), and his only 5-wicket haul (#2 5-wicket-hauls-2025).
| Hardik's Best Opponents | Runs | Average | Bowling |
|---|
| vs RR | 506 | 72.29! | 12 wkts @ 19.75 |
| vs KKR | 395 | 43.89 | 14 wkts @ 19.93 |
| vs RCB | 361 | 45.13 | 7 wkts @ 43.29 |
Strength Hardik's 72.29 average against RR is extraordinary. He single-handedly dominates this fixture with both bat and ball.
Concern Hardik's ₹1.17 Cr per wicket in 2025 was worst value (
team price per wicket 2025 worst mi). His bowling economy of 9.77 needs improvement.
Sherfane Rutherford replaces Tim David as the designated finisher. His batting technique strengths (0.0% run outs #1, 6.3% bowled #4) make him reliable in pressure situations.
Naman Dhir had a breakout 2025: 180.65 career SR (#4 from strike-rate-career leaderboard), 283.33 lower-order SR 2025 (#2), and remarkably, 5.25 economy rate (#1 from economy-rate-2025 leaderboard) despite bowling only 4 overs.
Recommendation
No. 5: Hardik Pandya - 74.00 lower-order avg (#1)
No. 6: Sherfane Rutherford/Naman Dhir (situation-dependent)
No. 7: Mitchell Santner (if batting deep needed)
Backup: Will Jacks (GT matches)
4. Powerplay Bowling (Overs 1-6)
Candidates
Analysis
Trent Boult is MI's primary new-ball weapon. His 2025 was exceptional: 22 wickets (#3 from wicket-takers-2025 leaderboard), 4/26 best figures (#5), 22.00 wicket-to-maiden ratio (#3). His 78 career wickets against top order rank #5 all-time (
most wickets vs top order).
| Boult's Best Opponents | Wickets | Average | Economy |
|---|
| vs SRH | 21 | 20.76 | 8.00 |
| vs RCB | 19 | 24.32 | 8.56 |
| vs DC | 16 | 23.63 | 8.04 |
| vs LSG | 12 | 15.67! | 6.96 |
Strength Boult's 15.67 average against LSG is exceptional - makes him essential for the LSG matchup where MI's bowling struggles.
Deepak Chahar is the ultimate top-order specialist with 70.5% of wickets against top order (#1). His 2025 form was modest (11 wkts @ 34.18), but his swing bowling creates early breakthroughs.
Recommendation
Primary: Trent Boult (overs 1-2, 19) + Deepak Chahar (overs 3-4)
Rotation: Jasprit Bumrah (overs 5-6 when top order still in)
Backup: Hardik Pandya, Ashwani Kumar
5. Middle Overs Bowling (Overs 7-15)
Candidates
Analysis
Mitchell Santner is the control specialist. His 7.31 career economy ranks #2 in MI squad (
team economy career mi). His 6.17 economy at Wankhede (#3 at venue) makes him essential at home.
| Santner's Best Opponents | Wickets | Average | Economy |
|---|
| vs DC | 5 | 10.80! | 6.75 |
| vs MI | 7 | 22.57 | 6.87 |
Strength Santner's 10.80 average against DC makes him a DC specialist. Must play all Delhi fixtures.
Concern MI lacks a genuine Indian spinner for middle overs. Allah Ghazanfar (0 IPL matches) and Mayank Markande (37 matches) are the only options if overseas slots are full.
Allah Ghazanfar at ₹4.8 Cr (#3 Afghan player) is an investment in potential. His mystery spin could be valuable, but 0 IPL experience is a risk.
Recommendation
Primary: Mitchell Santner (overs 8-11) + Jasprit Bumrah (overs 12-14)
Rotation: Will Jacks (off-spin variety), Naman Dhir (5.25 econ 2025)
Backup: Mayank Markande (#2 LBW specialist), Allah Ghazanfar (mystery option)
6. Death Overs Bowling (Overs 16-20)
Candidates
Analysis
Jasprit Bumrah is the greatest death bowler in IPL history. His 2025 credentials: 6.68 death economy (#3 from economyRate-death-2025), 17.56 death average (#4), and 1.27 pressure index (#1 from pressure-bowlers-2025 leaderboard).
His career credentials are even more impressive: 183 wickets (#4 all-time), 7.25 economy (#5 career), 5 four-wicket hauls (#4), 2 five-wicket hauls (#2), and 100 middle-order wickets (#2).
| Bumrah at Key Venues | Wickets | Economy | Assessment |
|---|
| Wankhede | 61 | 7.16 | #1 at venue! |
| DY Patil | 8 | 5.19 | #1 econ at venue! |
| Sheikh Zayed | 20 | - | #1 at venue |
| Jaipur | - | 6.20 | #4 econ at venue |
Strength Bumrah's 6.68 death economy in 2025 is elite - only Nuwan Thushara (6.50) was better among regular bowlers.
Ashwani Kumar emerged as a death option in 2025 with 11 wickets at 21.09 average. His 11.18 strike rate ranks #2 in death overs (
strikeRate death).
Recommendation
Primary: Jasprit Bumrah (overs 17, 19) + Trent Boult (over 18, 20)
Rotation: Hardik Pandya (over 16-17), Ashwani Kumar (death SR #2)
Backup: Will Jacks, Naman Dhir