The five-time champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), wrapped up their IPL 2025 journey with a respectable third-place finish, but they stumbled in Qualifier 2 against the Punjab Kings (PBKS). Their season was quite the rollercoaster; after a shaky start in the group stage, they found their groove towards the end, charging into the playoffs with a fresh wave of confidence. During the IPL 2025 mega auction, Mumbai put together a solid squad, bringing in talents like Deepak Chahar, Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton, Mitchell Santner, and Trent Boult. These new faces added depth to the team, creating a strong mix of all-rounders, specialist bowlers, and explosive batsmen who could handle different match scenarios. Even with a core that includes heavyweights like Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Jasprit Bumrah, MI couldn't quite snag their sixth IPL title. Did MI make the correct decisions with their retentions? As the IPL 2025 retention deadline loomed, fans were left wondering if Mumbai would shake things up or stick with their tried-and-true lineup. In the end, MI chose to play it safe, letting go of just a few players, including Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Karn Sharma, Reece Topley, Bevon Jacobs, Lizaad Williams, and a couple of emerging talents. Also Read | India’s Highest Successful Run Chases in Test Cricket: Top 5 List This cautious strategy allowed the franchise to keep the core of their successful XI intact while also making room for some strategic new additions. Heading into the mini-auction with a budget of INR 2.75 crore, MI managed to stay flexible without upsetting the team’s chemistry. Mumbai also made some savvy trades, bringing in Shardul Thakur from Lucknow Super Giants, Sherfane Rutherford from Gujarat Titans, and Mayank Markande from Kolkata Knight Riders. These acquisitions enhanced their depth across various departments. With a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters like Robin Minz, Naman Dhir, Ashwani Kumar, Raj Bawa, and AM Ghazanfar, the squad is looking well-rounded. When looking at their retention strategy, it’s clear that MI made some smart and well-thought-out decisions. By keeping their experienced core intact and adding depth through trades, the franchise has set itself up nicely for the upcoming season. With just a handful of uncapped talents to go after in the mini-auction, Mumbai seems ready to make another title run in IPL 2026.