Aakash Chopra, the former Indian opener and commentator has stated that Mumbai Indians will consult Rohit Sharma about his future before finalizing their retentions for the IPL 2025 season. The five-time champions want to retain their Indian core, and Chopra pointed out that Rohit will have input regarding his standing with the team.
Will Rohit Sharma Be Retained?
Chopra's comments have arrived at a time when BCCI has announced retention and auction rules for IPL 2025 in which each and every team gets to retain up to six players either through retention or RTM. The payment structure has stated that the first and fourth choice players have received a purse of ₹18 crores, whereas the second and fifth-choice players have received ₹14 crores each, while the third choice has received ₹4 crores. If the team decides to retain five members, then they will have to spend ₹75 crore from an increased salary cap of ₹120 crore.
Aakash Chopra Weighs In
"The most difficult thing is to retain the Indian core. MI have won 5 trophies and CSK have also won 5 trophies. Both of them have had strong Indian cores. Overseas players, you can like-for-replacement. But, Indian players are tougher to get. Can you tell me a like-for-like replacement for Jasprit Bumrah?" Chopra said.
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"Indian retentions for Mumbai Indians seem straightforward. Hardik, Surya, Bumrah, you have three. After that, I think they will discuss with Rohit Sharma about the next step, I am pretty sure. It’s anybody’s guess after what has transpired. Whether he will stay in Mumbai or go elsewhere, I think it will also be his will. I think that will be a discussion. And then Ishan Kishan or Tilak Varma," he added.
Jasprit Bumrah Most Likely To Be Retained, Says Chopra
Talking to Jio Cinema on September 29, Aakash Chopra said that Jasprit Bumrah is the most likely individual the Mumbai Indians will retain for ₹18 crore while the captain Hardik Pandya also is expected to get ₹18 crore. MI had Rohit Sharma relinquish the captain's position ahead of the IPL 2024 season, and Hardik Pandya was unexpectedly thrust into the role. Speculative talk about there being internal issues at MI after the departure of Rohit Sharma as captain only appeared to see the latter return to play through the entirety of the season. Hardik did not have it easy, as the five-time champions found themselves at the bottom of the table and received boos from sections of the crowd.
Players That Are Likely To Be Retained By Mumbai Indians
"The interesting aspect will be the order of retention. Who will be the first, who will be the second and all that? Jasprit Bumrah is my No. 1 retention. He will be the first retention in the overall IPL, across all teams. If Bumrah is your first, then you have captain Hardik Pandya. He can be your fourth retention (Rs 18 crore). Then you have India’s T20I captain, he is Suryakumar Yadav. He will be come in Rs 14 crore category. Then you have Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma. Then there is the wicketkeeper-batter batter in Ishan Kishan, whom you retained for Rs 15 or Rs 15.5 crore. It’s going to be a tough one."
"Tim David is there. Uncapped Piyush Chawla is there," Chopra added.
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Chopra said it would be interesting to see how Mumbai Indians choose to retain their players and implied that Bumrah, Hardik, and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav will be automatic choices. The team also has promising talents in Tilak Varma and wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan, considered one of the most highly sought after in the league.