Mumbai Indians to retain Rohit Sharma ahead of IPL 2025 auction: Report

Mumbai Indians are set to retain Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, the Indian Express reported on October 17 (Thursday). 

Rohit, who led MI to five IPL titles, was sacked from captaincy before the start of last season, and the reign was handed over to Pandya. Mumbai finished last on the points table, and the move didn’t quite go well with their fans, who booed Pandya not just at the Wankhede Stadium but everywhere MI travelled.

The franchises can retain up to six players ahead of the 2025 auction, but the money will be deducted from their purse, which stands at INR 120 crore. The six players can be Indian or overseas, but at least one of them has to be uncapped. All six players can be retained ahead of the auction or by a combination of retention and RTM (Right to Match), or just via the RTM option.

The value of the first three retentions will be INR 18 crore, INR 14 crore, and INR 11 crore. The next two will be INR 18 crore and INR 14 crore. As a result, INR 75 crore will be deducted from the INR 120 crore of the overall purse. As far as the uncapped player is concerned, he can be retained at INR 4 crore. Hence, the franchise could lose as much as INR 79 crore before entering the auction and could be left with just INR 41 crore.

The Indian Express also reported that MI will try to get wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan at the auction and use the RTM for Tim David. They can also retain one of Nehal Wadhera or Naman Dhir in the uncapped category. 

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals have decided to retain three Indian players - Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag. The franchise is also in talks with England’s white-ball skipper Jos Buttler. 

Punjab Kings will have Arshdeep Singh as their top retention, while Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma will be kept in the uncapped category. Then there is Delhi Capitals, who are likely to keep Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.

Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants are yet to take a call on KL Rahul but are certain to retain in-form Nicholas Pooran. They also have Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan as uncapped options.

All franchises must submit the list of names they want to retain by October 31, with the auction likely to take place in the last week of November.  

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