Mumbai Indians (MI) kicked off their pre-season training camp for IPL 2025 with a warm and lighthearted welcome for Trent Boult and Ryan Rickelton. The duo, returning to MI’s setup, was greeted in a fun way, as teammates playfully flicked their foreheads—an inside tradition that set the tone for an upbeat practice session.
Both players quickly got down to business in the nets, eager to make an impact in the upcoming season. MI faces a challenging start with back-to-back away fixtures—first against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk on March 23, followed by a trip to Ahmedabad to take on Gujarat Titans (GT) on March 29.
Their highly anticipated first home game at Wankhede Stadium will be against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 31. The road trip continues with a visit to Lucknow for a clash with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 4, before returning to Mumbai to host Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 7.
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Amid the preparations, MI skipper Hardik Pandya had a special message for the young players stepping into the high-pressure IPL environment. Speaking to JioHotstar, Pandya emphasized the importance of self-belief.
Typical Mumbai waala welcome 😂💙#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai pic.twitter.com/PfW34omydx
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 18, 2025
𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 has his eyes set 🎯⚡️#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai pic.twitter.com/Sfyy16mCVZ
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 17, 2025
“The young players coming into the IPL are extremely talented. My message to them is simple—believe in yourself. They are here because they are good enough, but the biggest challenge at this stage is self-doubt,” Hardik Pandya said.
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He highlighted the mental aspect of the game, stressing the importance of staying balanced through the inevitable highs and lows of a professional career. “Their skill set is far ahead of where we were at 21 or 22. They just need to trust themselves and grab opportunities when they come,” he added.
After finishing last in IPL 2024, MI will be determined to turn things around and chase a record-extending sixth IPL title.
