Reports: Mumbai Indians to retain Rohit Sharma ahead of IPL 2025

Mumbai Indians named Hardik Pandya the new captain ahead of the Indian Premier League 2024 and Rohit Sharma had to step down after leading the team to five IPL titles. As the IPL 2025 mega auctions loom, several rumours were doing the rounds that Rohit might look towards a different franchise and MI might not retain their former captain. 

According to a report from The Indian Express, the Hitman could be one of the four franchise retentions, along with Hardik, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav. It is worth noting that, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has unveiled new retention rules ahead of the next season. As per the new rules, a franchise can retain up to six players including one uncapped player.

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MI had a lackluster season under Hardik in IPL 2024. The team finished last in the points table as it managed just four wins in 14 games. Apart from on-field setbacks, the fans were critical of removing Rohit from the captaincy role and Hardik was booed and trolled both on the field and social media.

Will continue to add to the history of Mumbai Indians: Jayawardene

Ahead of the impending season, MI have made some changes in management as Mahela Jayawardene replaced Mark Boucher as the Head Coach of the team. Jayawardene was MI’s Global Head of Performance from 2022 before relinquishing his six years of stint as the Head Coach since 2017. As the franchise has been struggling since 2020 to lay hands on the silverware, Jayawardene has vowed to take the vision forward.

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"In 2017, the focus was on bringing together a talented group of individuals to play the best cricket ever and we did very well. Now to return, at the same moment in history, where we look ahead at the future and the opportunity to further strengthen the love of MI, build on the vision of the owners, and continue to add to the history of Mumbai Indians, is an exciting challenge I am looking forward to,” said Jayawardene.