- June 1, 2025
If there is one thing to take away from IPL 2025, it is that you cannot count out the Mumbai Indians. For the second time, they came back from the dead, stronger, smarter, and ready to pounce. And the kicker? Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan had also highlighted it. Just ahead of the important Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings, Dhawan highlighted MI by saying how perfectly they had timed their rise in the tournament. Dhawan said, “The momentum they have is unbelievable.” In what way is this MI assembly different this season? Let’s try finding it.
From Wobbly to Wow: How MI Flipped the Script
Let’s go back in time a little. At the start of the season, MI was a long way from being five-time champions. Hardik Pandya was back to captain MI, and there was a mixed reaction, disappointing performances to start the season and buzzing media, memes flying around the socials, and even loyal MI fans were saying to themselves, “Maybe not this year.”
But this is MI — the franchise that flourishes in the pressure cooker of a final and excels when it counts most. Over the past few weeks, they have turned the narrative around. That eliminator win over the Gujarat Titans wasn’t just a win — it was a statement win. They didn’t just sneak over the finishing line; they cruised through with style and panache. Tim David’s finishing, Jasprit Bumrah’s death bowling, and Suryakumar Yadav’s consistent run scoring – all came together. Momentum? They’ve bottled it, shaken it, and popped the cork just in time.
The Hardik Pandya Effect: Captain Cool or Captain Clutch?
Hardik Pandya’s every move has been scrutinized all year, from a widely publicized switch back from a franchise to leading the historically most pressure-packed franchise in IPL history. And while Hardik is more relaxed than hot under the collar in his leadership, it is working.
Whether you like him or don’t like him, Hardik is also a balancing force, on and off the field. With the ball, he has been clutching in key overs. With the bat, he has performed when it has mattered. But most importantly, he has been able to mesh a team full of veteran legends and young Gen Z stars.
That balance is something Dhawan was referring to. It’s not only the statistics – it’s the vibe. MI does not seem like a franchise reliant on 1 star – they seem like a machine where every component, from Nehal Wadhera’s cameo appearances to Tilak Varma’s glimmers of individual brilliance, is pivotal to operational success.
Timing Is Everything: MI’s Mastery of Momentum
Do you remember 2015? Or 2019? MI did not phase through those seasons either; they built up to peak performance; they got better and better, game by game, and executed when it mattered. 2025 looks pretty similar. Whilst teams like Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants have been scorching hot, MI has been playing the long game.
Shikhar Dhawan’s assessment might not be surprising, but certainly revealing. A longtime competitor backing MI at this juncture means something. From a bad start to being the most complete team on paper and the field, the Mumbai Indians have done what the Mumbai Indians do best — peak when no one is looking.
Will they easily pass by PBKS and defeat RCB in the final? We will find out soon, but there’s one thing for sure: if momentum is the special ingredient for IPL success, MI might be cooking up their sixth championship.
Are you riding MI’s late-season wave, or do you believe PBKS or RCB is going to have one last twist in this IPL story? Let the comments decide.
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