Hardik Pandya to make Jonny Bairstow open with Rohit Sharma

The Mumbai Indians (MI) have always been the team that shows up when it matters most. And though their 2025 season has been more patchy than polished, they have still managed to make the playoffs, setting up a high-octane Eliminator clash against the Gujarat Titans (GT). It’s a contest that MI fans will be hoping flips the trend, given MI have not managed a win over any of the other three playoff sides this season.

Under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy, MI have mixed brilliance with inconsistency. Suryakumar Yadav has been their batting linchpin with 640 runs, while Jasprit Bumrah — despite missing the first four matches — has been lethal, picking 17 wickets at an economy of 6.33, his best ever in an IPL season. MI’s bowling attack, with the experience of Trent Boult and the control of Mitchell Santner, looks steady. But it’s the top-order that faces alterations on the D-Day.

Bairstow & Asalanka to slot in, but MI face tricky rejig

With Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks departing for national duty, MI will welcome Jonny Bairstow and Charith Asalanka into their XI. Bairstow, a seasoned IPL campaigner, is a like-for-like replacement for Rickelton and is likely to open with Rohit Sharma. The Englishman recently struck back-to-back fifties in red-ball cricket and brings aggression to the top.

Asalanka, on the other hand, is competing with Bevon Jacobs for the middle-order spot vacated by Jacks. The Sri Lankan’s part-time offspin and experience might just give him the edge, especially in a high-pressure knockout game. However, the challenge for Mumbai is the timing. A new-look side, with Bairstow and Asalanka walking in cold, will have to get going immediately in an Eliminator. There’s no scope for easing in, with a clash against PBKS in Qualifier 2 up for grabs.

Mumbai Indians Predicted XI vs GT – IPL 2025 Eliminator

GT have had Mumbai’s number this season — winning both league encounters — and hold a 5-2 head-to-head lead. But if there’s one side capable of flipping the script when cornered, it’s the Mumbai Indians.