Mumbai Indians (MI) made a bold call before IPL 2024 by removing Rohit Sharma from captaincy. The five-time IPL Champions brought back Hardik Pandya via trade and named him the new captain. The decision didn't go down well with fans and they voiced their frustration from the stands during matches. Rohit was still India's captain when he was removed.
Just a month after IPL 2024, he captained Team India to a title win in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Rohit would want captaincy in the IPL too. Hence, he could leave the franchise before IPL 2025. Even if Rohit stays with MI, he might not be retained for Rs 18 crore. Here, we have a look at 2 players Mumbai Indians can retain for Rs 18 crore –
Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya looks all but set to be MI's first-choice retention before the IPL 2025 mega-auction. The franchise brought in Pandya from Gujarat Titans (GT) with high hopes and the owners are expected to give him a long rope. MI finished at the last spot under his captaincy but Pandya has a proven record as captain in IPL.
Under him, GT won the IPL title in their debut season. The next season, they played the final and lost to Chennai Super Kings only on the last delivery. Pandya could be given a complete three-year cycle to propel MI to their sixth IPL title. He is one of the best all-rounders in the country and can single-handedly win matches for MI and Team India.
Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav could be the second player MI might retain for Rs 18 crore. He is the present T20I captain of Team India and MI could make him the joint-highest earner along with Pandya. Under the IPL's rules, the first and fourth-choice retentions will earn Rs 18 crore each.
Suryakumar isn't expected to be made MI's captain. As mentioned, MI brought back Pandya with high hopes and they are expected to back him. Suryakumar pipped Hardik to become India's T20I captain following Rohit Sharma's retirement.