'Chinta mat karo woh batting karega' - Mumbai Indians owner Akash Ambani responds to fan's question on Rohit Sharma

In a surprising twist ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Auction, the Mumbai Indians found themselves in the spotlight, not just for their strategic player acquisitions but for a significant change in leadership. Recently, the captaincy of the team was handed over to Hardik Pandya, marking the end of Rohit Sharma's decade-long captaincy.

The buzz around the Mumbai Indians' camp intensified during the auction when a fervent fan voiced concerns about Rohit Sharma's role in the team. In a video shared on social media by the franchise, MI owner Akash Ambani responded to the fan.

"Chinta mat karo woh batting karega (Do not worry, he will bat)," Akash said. The statement from Ambani added an element of intrigue to the team dynamics, leaving fans curious about Rohit's future role on the field.

The IPL 2024 auction witnessed a historic moment as Australian pacer Mitchell Starc secured a jaw-dropping deal with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), fetching a whopping Rs 24.75 crores. This move came on the heels of his teammate Pat Cummins breaking the Rs 20 crore mark after being acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), making him the costliest player in IPL history (after Starc).

Previously, the title of the most expensive player was held by England's Sam Curran, who went to Punjab Kings (PBKS) for INR 18.50 crore in the previous year's auction. The auction, held in Dubai, featured 333 players from 13 different countries. 

Interestingly, only Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) opted not to exhaust their entire quota of 25 players, with 23 and 22 players, respectively. Consequently, 72 players were selected across the bidding process, filling all thirty international player slots.

The IPL 2024 auction showcased the emergence of the 20 crore club, with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins leading the way. Other notable players who commanded premiums of ten crore or more included Daryl Mitchell (Rs 14.00 cr to CSK), Harshal Patel (Rs 11.75 cr to PBKS), Alzarri Joseph (Rs 11.50 cr to RCB), and Spencer Johnson (Rs 10 cr to GT).