MI will discuss Rohit Sharma's future with him before IPL retention: Aakash Chopra

IPL 2025 Retention: Former India opener Aakash Chopra said Mumbai Indians have a few tough choices to make before deciding on their retained list of players. The renowned pundit said Rohit Sharma will have a say in his future with the five-time champions.

In Short

• IPL organisers announced retention and auction rules for the 2025 season
• A team has to shell out a minimum of Rs 11 crore for retaining a capped player
• Speculation around Rohit Sharma's future with Mumbai Indians is rife

Former India opener Aakash Chopra said Mumbai Indians will discuss Rohit Sharma's future with their former captain before announcing their retentions for the Indian Premier League 2025 season. Chopra said Rohit will have a say on his future with the five-time champions, who will look to retain their Indian core ahead of the mega auction.

Aakash Chopra's comments come after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced retention and auction rules for the IPL 2025 season. Each team will be allowed to retain a maximum of six players, through the retention and Right To Match (RTM) option. The first and the fourth-choice players will be paid Rs 18 crore while the second and the fifth-choice players will be paid Rs 14 corer each. The third option will be paid Rs 4 crore. If a team wishes to retain five players, it has to shell out Rs 75 corer out of the increased purse of Rs 120 crore.

Speaking to Jio Cinema on Sunday, September 29, Aakash Chopra said he has no doubt that Jasprit Bumrah will be Mumbai Indains' first-choice retention for Rs 18 crore and captain Hardik Pandya will also be paid Rs 18 crore and retained.

"The most difficult thing is to retain the Indian core. MI have won 5 trophies and CSK have also won 5 trophies. Both of them have had strong Indian cores. Overseas players, you can like-for-replacement. But, Indian players are tougher to get. Can you tell me a like-for-like replacement for Jasprit Bumrah?" Chopra said.

"Indian retentions for Mumbai Indians seem straightforward. Hardik, Surya, Bumrah, you have three. After that, I think they will discuss with Rohit Sharma about the next step, I am pretty sure. It’s anybody’s guess after what has transpired. Whether he will stay in Mumbai or go elsewhere, I think it will also be his will. I think that will be a discussion. And then Ishan Kishan or Tilak Varma," he added.

Rohit Sharma stepped down as captain ahead of the IPL 2024 season. Hardik Pandya, who was traded in from Gujarat Titans, replaced him as captain in a move that sent shockwaves in the cricket fraternity. Speculation was rife that all was not well in the MI camp after Rohit was let go as captain. Despite all the chatter around his standing in the team, Rohit played the entire season for MI. Hardik, on the other hand, had a tough time, facing boos from a section of fans as the five-time champions finished last in the season.

MI'S ORDER OF RETENTION?

Aakash Chopra, a renowned pundit, said it will be interesting to see how Mumbai Indians go about their order of retentions, highlighting that Bumrah, Hardik and India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav will be automatic choices.

MI also have the likes of Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan, who is one of the most sought-after wicketkeeper-batters going around.

"The interesting aspect will be the order of retention. Who will be the first, who will be the second and all that? Jasprit Bumrah is my No. 1 retention. He will be the first retention in the overall IPL, across all teams. If Bumrah is your first, then you have captain Hardik Pandya. He can be your fourth retention (Rs 18 crore). Then you have India’s T20I captain, he is Suryakumar Yadav. He will be come in Rs 14 crore category. Then you have Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma. Then there is the wicketkeeper-batter batter in Ishan Kishan, whom you retained for Rs 15 or Rs 15.5 crore. It’s going to be a tough one.

"Tim David is there. Uncapped Piyush Chawla is there," Chopra added.

Notably, the IPL organisers revived the 'Uncapped Player' rule that allows any Indian player who has not played international cricket for five years or not had BCCI central contract to be retained as an uncapped player for Rs 4 crore.