Mumbai Indians has made an interesting choice in their playing combination for the Qualifier 2 match of IPL 2025 against Punjab Kings. The five-time IPL-winning franchise has taken a gamble by including Reece Topley in their lineup; this is his first IPL assignment in the blue jersey. Reece replaces Richard Gleeson for this vital clash at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. 

But who is Reece Topley, and why does Mumbai Indians team management keep faith in him? 

Reece Topley is an England pace bowler, highly talented and well known in the international cricket circuit, but his career has so far remained underwhelming. The pacer with so much potential found himself outside the field due to major injury concerns. Topley never received the height he could achieve in his career. He is now 31 and still can deliver some more years to justify his talent.

The left-arm pacer with a skyscraper height of 6 ft 7 in can generate major threats to opponents in his days. The cricketer from Ipswich had not been in great form before starting for Mumbai Indians today. According to stats, Topley, in his last 5 games, claimed only 3 wickets in total and clearly has not experienced an impressive form in recent memory. 

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Combination of left and right handed 

With the addition of the Englishman in the pace attack, Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya now has multiple options and variations to utilize on the field. For the match against Punjab Kings, Topley finds his place in the eleven along with Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult; these two bowlers are right-handed, and Topley delivers with his left arm. Richard Gleeson, who is another right-handed bowler, was replaced by left-handed Reece Topley. 

Reece gained experience about IPL while he played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru for a couple of seasons but got to play only a total of 5 matches and claimed 5 wickets, with a high economy rate of 10.70.