IPL 2025 |They Losses? No Big Deal for MI—They’re on Track to Win It All, Says Sanjay Manjrekar

 Sanjay Manjrekar isn’t losing sleep over Mumbai Indians’ back-to-back defeats in IPL 2025. In fact, he thinks it’s just business as usual for them. Speaking on Kuhl Fans Match Centre Live on JioHotstar, the former cricketer and expert analyst insisted that MI’s slow start isn’t a sign of trouble but rather a familiar pattern that often leads to a strong comeback.

Mumbai had a rough outing against Gujarat Titans, losing two wickets for just 35 runs. In contrast, Gujarat had already stacked up 129 runs by the time they lost their second wicket. While Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav tried to steady the innings, the problem with chasing a target over 190 is that the required run rate keeps climbing. That’s exactly what happened—MI just couldn’t keep up. “In the end, Gujarat Titans simply batted better. I feel they were maybe 15 to 20 runs over par,” Manjrekar explained. Adding to Mumbai’s woes, the expected dew never arrived, making their chase even tougher.

Despite the rocky start, Manjrekar remains confident in MI’s title chances. “Two losses? That’s pretty standard for Mumbai Indians. They still seem to be on the right track to go all the way,” he said.

Rohit Sharma’s Struggles: A Sign of Change?

Manjrekar didn’t hold back when discussing Rohit Sharma’s current form. The MI opener, who led India to T20 World Cup glory, isn’t playing at the level he once did. “Rohit is clearly going through a phase. He’s not the same player he was three or four years ago,” Manjrekar said. “At this stage of his career, he has to push himself harder every single day—train harder, stay sharp—because things are slipping away. Right now, he’s still relying a lot on his natural talent and instincts.”

Patience Needed for Ryan Rickelton

Another key MI player under scrutiny is South African batter Ryan Rickelton. Manjrekar believes Rickelton will need time to adjust to Indian conditions. “South African batters don’t always thrive on Indian pitches—only a few exceptions like AB de Villiers and Heinrich Klaasen have done it successfully. So, we need to give him some time,” he said.

MI’s Batting Lineup Still a Work in Progress

Manjrekar also expressed some doubts about MI’s batting depth. “Besides Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav, the rest of the lineup, including Robin Minz and a few others, still looks a bit unconvincing. Many of them perform well when the pitch has good pace and bounce, but they struggle otherwise,” he noted.

He believes conditions play a big role in MI’s success. “Even in that chase where they needed 12 or 13 runs per over, if it had been at Wankhede, they probably would have come much closer to the target,” he added.

While MI’s start has been far from ideal, Manjrekar is convinced they’re following a familiar pattern—one that often leads to a championship-winning season. Fans may be worried now, but if history is anything to go by, MI could still be lifting the trophy when it’s all said and done.