As the IPL 2025 auction approaches, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced new guidelines allowing franchises to retain a maximum of six players. While all 10 IPL teams are formulating their auction strategies, former cricketers and fans have begun sharing their opinions on who should be retained. Ajay Jadeja, a former India cricketer, has advised Mumbai Indians to prioritize retaining Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah while opting to use the Right to Match (RTM) card for captain Hardik Pandya.
Pandya, who rejoined Mumbai Indians and was named their captain for the 2024 season, may not be retained directly, according to Jadeja. Instead, Jadeja suggests that Mumbai should aim to bring him back through the RTM process during the auction.
Rohit, Suryakumar, and Bumrah: Mumbai’s Core Players
Jadeja, speaking on Jio Cinema, emphasized that retaining Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah should be non-negotiable for the Mumbai Indians. According to him, these three players are irreplaceable, and losing them in the auction would significantly weaken the team.
“I’d say, players like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah, are undoubtedly the three players who will be retained by MI. It is impossible to get these players if put up for auction,” Jadeja explained.
Risky RTM for Hardik Pandya
Jadeja acknowledged the risks of trying to secure Pandya via the RTM card, citing his injury history, which could deter other franchises from splurging on the star all-rounder in the auction. However, he believes that while Pandya remains a valuable player, the franchise cannot afford to lose key figures like Rohit, Suryakumar, or Bumrah to accommodate him.
“Yes, the kind of player Hardik is, you might not get him in the auction. But there is a chance that his injury tendencies might make the other franchises hesitate to open up their banks for him,” Jadeja pointed out.
Tough Decisions Ahead for Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians will have to make some difficult choices before the IPL 2025 mega auction. Besides their senior stars, the franchise also has rising talents like Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Tim David, and Dewald Brevis to consider.
The road ahead involves careful balancing of experienced veterans and emerging stars, making Mumbai’s retention strategy crucial to their success in the upcoming IPL season. Will Mumbai follow Jadeja’s advice and use RTM for Hardik Pandya, or will they opt for a different approach in their retention strategy? Fans eagerly await the decisions leading up to the IPL 2025 auction.