Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has picked four players from the Mumbai Indians (MI) whom they should retain ahead of the IPL 2025 auction as well. However, he doesn’t see Rohit Sharma playing for the franchise next season as well as Hardik Pandya replaced Rohit as the MI captain ahead of IPL 2024 and they had a mixed season.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said, “I think they will let Ishan Kishan go. They might use the ‘Right to Match’ card because 15.5 crores is just too much money. I don’t think Ishan will be retained. I think Rohit Sharma has played his last match for the Mumbai Indians, whether he doesn’t want to be retained or the franchise lets him go. Either way, I see them parting ways. I don’t think you will be seeing Rohit Sharma in the Mumbai Indians jersey again. That’s just my understanding. I might be wrong but I feel, either which way, Rohit Sharma will not be playing for the Mumbai Indians when you start the next season.”
ALSO READ: Kirti Azad welcomes BCCI’s new directive in central contract
However, he scored 320 runs which came at an underwhelming average of 22.86 and a strike rate of 148.83 in 14 innings in IPL 2024 as well. He was bought for a whopping ₹15.25 crore at the IPL 2022 auction but might not have to be retained as well considering his form. Aakash Chopra also stated that Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah will be the Mumbai Indians’ first two retentions as well.
“I feel the first retention will be Suryakumar Yadav. I am not saying first or second but this team will 100% want to retain Suryakumar Yadav. The second player, I feel you want to 100% retain Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah might be the first retention and Suryakumar Yadav might be the second retention. These two players are absolutely confirmed,” he said.
However, he also feels the five-time champions Mumbai Indians will want to retain captain Hardik Pandya. While naming Tilak Varma as the fourth potential retention, the veteran also added that Tim David could be reacquired using the ‘Right to Match’ card as well.
“The third, I would say Hardik Pandya. You need Hardik Pandya because it wasn’t a short-term investment. You had picked the player for long-term gain, and Hardik Pandya is an integral part of the blueprint you had made to take the team forward. I feel the fourth should be Tilak Varma. All four are Indians thus far. I don’t think this team will want to or will be able to retain any overseas player. They might keep Tim David by using the ‘Right to Match’ card but I don’t see anyone in the overseas contingent seeing whom you would say that you will be at a massive loss if you let him go,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
