Mumbai Indians (MI) retained their core before the IPL 2025 mega-auction and kept the services of Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav. MI didn't keep the fans waiting and also confirmed that Hardik would lead them in IPL 2025. MI had their worst-ever season under him in 2024 and they finished at the last spot.
MI retaining Hardik also meant that he didn't have to enter an IPL auction. Unlike many other legends, Hardik has never entered an IPL auction since first joining MI in 2015. He has also changed his teams twice but without entering an auction. Here, we know the reason behind Hardik Pandya never entering an IPL auction since 2015 –
Hardik bagged his first IPL deal with Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2015 mini-auction. MI was the only team which bid for the little-known all-rounder and acquired his services for Rs 10 lakh. Hardik shone in the season and forced his way into the T20I team for the Australia series early in 2016. He didn't have a memorable run in IPL 2016 but MI didn't release him. Hardik became an all-format player in 2017.
MI showed faith in Hardik and retained him for Rs 11 crore before the IPL 2018 mega-auction. Despite his injury concerns, MI backed him to the hilt and he was always retained before the mini-auctions.
MI took a bold call before IPL 2022 by releasing Hardik. Gujarat Titans (GT) surprised one and all by picking Hardik in the IPL 2022 draft, which took place before the mega-auction, and appointing him as their captain. Hardik-led GT won the IPL 2022 trophy and finished as the runners-up next year.
Hardik returned to MI before IPL 2024 without entering the auction. The five-time IPL Champions made use of the trading window to bring in Hardik. Hardik didn't have to enter the IPL 2025 mega-auction as he was retained for Rs 16.35 crore.
He will lead the MI team which includes India's T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav and a T20 World Cup-winning captain, Rohit Sharma.