Mi Shake Up Squad with High-Profile Replacements for Playoff Push
Mumbai Indians are making bold moves as the IPL 2025 season heads into its most crucial phase. With several of their core players heading off for international duty, they've brought in three new faces: Jonny Bairstow, Richard Gleeson, and Charith Asalanka. The spotlight is obviously on Jonny Bairstow, the explosive English wicketkeeper and a World Cup winner, who’s coming in with a hefty price tag of ₹5.25 crore. He takes the place of Will Jacks, who is due back in England soon for national cricket commitments.
Not stopping there, MI have also signed English pacer Richard Gleeson for ₹1 crore, covering for Ryan Rickelton's departure, and Sri Lankan T20I skipper Charith Asalanka for ₹75 lakh, stepping in for Corbin Bosch. The timing here is key—all three of the outgoing players will remain available until at least May 26, right after Mumbai's last league game. Only if the franchise secures a playoff spot will Bairstow, Gleeson, and Asalanka officially join, bringing fresh energy just as the stakes get even higher.
Pressure Builds as MI Fight for Playoff Spot Amid Departures
The playoff equation is simple but brutal for Mumbai Indians: win their last few games, or they're out. Their upcoming match against the Delhi Capitals on May 20 holds the key to their postseason hopes. The additions of Bairstow, Gleeson, and Asalanka hang in the balance, totally dependent on MI’s performance in these crunch fixtures.
Yorkshire, Bairstow’s county team, haven’t hidden their feelings about losing their star player. While disappointed, they get that the lure of the IPL—and especially a big-stage playoff run—is massive for a player’s career. Gleeson, too, will add a hard-hitting bowling option, while Asalanka could provide reliable middle-order hitting and captaincy skills if required.
This year, the IPL final is scheduled for June 3, a few days later than planned, because of fresh border tensions between India and Pakistan. The revised schedule hands franchises a bit more wiggle room to add replacements for stars heading off to international assignments. That’s exactly why Mumbai Indians acted fast, making sure they're not left short if they do make it all the way.
If Mumbai Indians qualify, expect fireworks as Bairstow—famous for his aggressive starts—could be the decisive factor in knockout games. Gleeson brings raw pace and a knack for late-innings wickets, while Asalanka’s calmness could steady the ship if needed. Until then, though, the team's focus is all about squeezing out those must-win victories and keeping their playoff dreams alive.
