Former Mumbai Indians cricketer Ambati Rayudu has picked his MI Playing XI for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. Rayudu picked a strong team where the former captain Rohit Sharma has been slotted alongside Ryan Rickelton to open the batting.
Ambati Rayudu named the whole team which consists of a lot of talent and ability. Skipper Hardik Pandya has been given the No. 5 position while Rayudu claimed that the impact player can used according to the conditions.
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Ambati Rayudu picks Ryan Rickelton to open alongside Rohit Sharma
During an interaction with Star Sports, Ambati Rayudu picked the probable Playing XI for Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2025 opener against Chennai Super Kings. Rayudu picked Ryan Rickelton to open the batting alongside the former captain Rohit Sharma.
Rickelton was also picked as the wicketkeeper in the team. The rest of the batting line-up was expected with Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Naman Dhir. Tilak and Suryakumar can exchange their positions according to Rayudu based on the left-right combination.
“I guess Ryan Rickelton will open with Rohit (Sharma) as he can keep the wickets as well. Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav will bat at three and four depending upon the left-right combination. Hardik Pandya will be at No. 5 while Naman Dhir will be at No. 6,” Rayudu said.
Who will join @mipaltan‘s OG core in their XI? 🤔
Here’s #AmbatiRayudu sharing his probable Playing XI for #MI. Share yours too 📝#IPLonJioStar 👉 TATA IPL 2025 | #CSKvMI, SUN, 23rd MAR, 6:30 PM | LIVE on JioHotstar & Star Sports Network! pic.twitter.com/Huoxfuh6QD
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 16, 2025
This will be Ryan Rickelton’s first experience in the IPL. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter is highly talented and has grown in stature over the last few years. He plays for the MI-based franchise – MI Cape Town – in the SA20 where he has been highly impressive.
MI’s middle order looks ever so strong with some high-quality Indian batters. Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav are a key part of India’s Playing XI in T20Is and have the ability to change the course of the game.
Ambati Rayudu picks MI’s bowling line-up
Further speaking on the discussion, Ambati Rayudu picked the bowling line-up of Mumbai Indians. He picked Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and Deepak Chahar as the three pacers in the Playing XI while Mitchell Santner was picked as the allrounder.
“Mitchell Santner (at No. 7), then (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Trent) Boult and Deepak Chahar. The remaining place will go to a young Indian player as the impact player depending upon the conditions,” he added.
Jasprit Bumrah is the spearhead of this bowling attack but he is out of the initial few games of the IPL. It means that MI will have to pick his replacement in the Playing XI for the first few games.
Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar are capable new ball bowlers and will be key in the powerplay at their home games in Wankhede Stadium. MI will play the season opener against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk and Deepak Chahar knows those conditions quite well having played for CSK for a long time.
Ambati Rayudu names Mumbai Indians playing XI
Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, (young Indian player according to conditions)
