Mumbai Indians are expected to retain their long-time captain Rohit Sharma, alongside three key players – Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav – as they prepare for the IPL 2025 mega auction, according to Indian Express. Despite stepping down from the captaincy last season, Rohit remains an integral part of the franchise and is likely to continue as one of the team’s key pillars.
Hardik Pandya took over the leadership last season, a move that saw a mixed response from fans. Pandya, despite guiding Mumbai Indians to previous glory, faced boos at the Wankhede Stadium, the team’s home ground, after the side finished last in the standings with just four wins from 14 matches.
No uncapped players in Mumbai Indians retention plan
As per reports, Mumbai Indians will focus on retaining capped players only, skipping the option to retain any uncapped talent this time around. The franchise will submit its final list of retained players to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) by October 31, ahead of the mega auction scheduled for November.
According to the latest regulations, IPL teams are allowed to retain a maximum of six players. Among them, five can be capped players (either Indian or overseas), while two uncapped players can also be retained. However, MI are set to forgo this option, instead focusing on a core group of experienced international and Indian stars.
Financial Impact of Retention
Retaining high-profile players comes with a significant financial cost. The BCCI’s retention rules specify that the first retained player will cost a franchise Rs 18 crore, the second Rs 14 crore, the third Rs 11 crore, with the fourth and fifth players costing Rs 18 crore and Rs 14 crore respectively.
For Mumbai Indians, retaining Sharma, Pandya, Bumrah, and Yadav will see a total of Rs 61 crore deducted from their overall auction purse of Rs 120 crore. This leaves the franchise with limited funds but with a strong foundation for the upcoming season.
IPL 2025 Auction Strategy: Focus on Key Additions
Reports suggest that Mumbai Indians are keen on bringing back wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan through the auction. Additionally, the franchise may use the Right to Match (RTM) card to retain Australian power-hitter Tim David, ensuring they maintain a balanced and formidable line-up.
What’s ahead of IPL 2025?
With a fresh approach to leadership under Hardik Pandya and the retention of core players, Mumbai Indians are aiming to make a strong comeback in IPL 2025 after a disappointing previous season. The auction strategy, focused on smart buys and maximising their purse, will be crucial as the team looks to rebuild and compete for their next IPL title.
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