In the next season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), it is a very intriguing situation that the Mumbai Indians (MI) find themselves in. Why they give a retention to the explosive batting of Tim David and they went for the promising batsman Will Jacks? Both players have a unique quality and have shown promise for their countries. We'll dive into the top three reasons why MI went for Will Jacks over Tim David for the IPL 2025 season, taking lessons from the statistical data presented in the screenshots. Also Read | Top 10 Costliest Uncapped Buys in IPL 2025 Auction Versatility and adaptability Image Source: BCCI Probably a factor that might influence the choice made by MI would be the flexibility and adaptability Will Jacks brings. As much as Tim David has an association with sheer power and clearing of the boundary, Will Jacks gives a more rounded game to change his nature according to the situation arising during the match. The data indicates that Will Jacks has played with all types of roles, like opening the innings and batting in the middle order. In T20Is, he has scored 383 runs at a strike rate of 136.79, which shows run accumulation and rotation of strike well. On the other hand, comparing this with Tim David, who has scored 468 runs at a strike rate of 100.68, it is more destructive and power-based. Jacks ability to open the innings and play the finisher's role gives MI the flexibility to adjust the batting lineup according to the match conditions and team requirements. It can be particularly advantageous in the fast-paced IPL format, where adaptability is the key to success. Youthful Energy and Long-Term Potential Image Source: ESPN At 26, Will Jacks is much younger and offers a potentially longer, healthier route to MI than does the 28-year-old Tim David. Whereas the former has established himself firmly into the T20 frame of thought, the latter will find this at 26 quite possibly is just on his learning trajectory. This can be highlighted with the difference that Will Jacks's international career spans through various formats and not limited to just a single, playing 15 ODIs and 23 T20Is so far. Meanwhile, Will Jacks is still playing more on the format of T20 with 23 T20Is so far, leaving his game much room for growth and for him to develop to face the long format. The team of MI would like to be part of this opportunity for the sake of nurturing the talent of Will Jacks and to take the young man through his growth into maturity in the next couple of years. That could prove a good investment for the franchise in the long run since Will Jacks continues his growth into being a fixture for the team. Skill Complementarity and Team Harmony Image Source: Getty Images While Tim David's explosive power and boundary-clearing ability are undeniable, MI might find that Will Jacks' skill set better complements the existing composition of their team. The data shows that Will Jacks is more of a run accumulator and a gap-finder rather than a brute force player. At T20I strike rate, he comes in at a meager 136.79 whereas David scores at 161.21; however, his is likely to provide the much-needed stability to the middle order, enabling the other power-hitters in the side, namely Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and the return of Suryakumar Yadav, to play in a more natural manner and optimize their usage. More importantly, Will Jacks could be an asset for MI as they try to balance their team, and he could help them get a more balanced team. His bowling can be an extra option for MI in terms of maintaining the control of the opposition's scoring rate and creating opportunities for frontline bowlers. By choosing Will Jacks, MI might be able to end up with a better team balance in general, where each player's strength and role complement each other for the creation of a more solid unit on the field. Also Read | IPL 2025: Who Will Captain Which Team? Conclusion As the IPL 2025 auction is nearing, a very thought-provoking choice between retaining Tim David and bringing Will Jacks to the table faces the Mumbai Indians. Both possess remarkable skills and have proven themselves in international fields, but perhaps the versatility, youth potential, and complementary skill set that Will Jacks has win MI's hearts in his favor. With Will Jacks, MI can strengthen their middle-order with a well-balanced batter besides bringing in an investment for a player to be groomed alongside the team and contribute to its growth in the long run. The ability to adapt to all sorts of match situations, and the energy and enthusiasm brought by Will Jacks, alongside the potential to attain better balance in the team make him quite an attractive option for Mumbai Indians who are looking forward to retrieving their IPL domination in coming years.