The talks to rope in Charith Asalanka were necessitated amidst the potential unavailability of key overseas players Corbin Bosch and Ryan Rickelton of South Africa, as well as England’s Will Jacks, should Mumbai Indians secure a spot in the playoff stage.
Both Bosch and Rickelton are expected to join South Africa’s squad for the World Test Championship (WTC), while Will Jacks is part of the England team set to tour the West Indies for an ODI and T20I series, also starting on May 29th. Charith Asalanka has garnered a reputation as a powerful hitter, making him a potentially valuable addition to the Mumbai Indians’ lineup.
According to a report by Newswire, Mumbai Indians have reached out to Asalanka with an offer to join their squad for the remainder of the IPL 2025 season, indicating their proactive approach in securing suitable replacements for their departing players as they aim for another successful playoff campaign.
Meanwhile, according to another report by ESPNcricinfo, MI’s left-arm pace spearhead Trent Boult is expected to rejoin the squad for the remaining fixtures of IPL 2025. Boult has been an instrumental figure for the five-time champions throughout the current season. The New Zealand seamer currently holds the distinction of being Mumbai Indians’ leading wicket-taker and occupies a joint-fourth position in the overall IPL wicket-takers’ list, having scalped 18 wickets in 12 matches. He boasts an impressive average of 19.89 and maintains an economy rate of 8.49. His standout performance came against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he delivered a match-winning spell of 4 wickets for 26 runs, earning him the Player of the Match award.
MI are currently placed fourth in the IPL 2025 standings with 14 points in 12 matches and need to win both of their remaining matches in order to make it to the playoffs. MI will next face Delhi Capitals on May 21 before locking horns with Punjab Kings (PBKS) on May 26. (Sports Tak)