MI ( Source : IPL )
Mumbai Indians, one of the most successful teams in the history of the Indian Premier League, finished twice in the last three editions of the competition. Rohit Sharma was axed from captaincy ahead of the 2024 edition of the competition and that created massive controversy as the majority of the fans were not happy with Hardik Pandya replacing him. The team too failed to do well, which might force the team to make some brave calls.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials have not released their final verdict on the retention and RTM cards rule but Mumbai will have to let go of the majority of their players due to the upcoming mega-auction. Several top cricketers last year expressed their disappointment after the captaincy change, which might play a part in them not renewing their contracts ahead of the next edition.
The team management would be desperate to retain the core squad and build a team for the future. It needs to be seen who are the players they would trust to build the squad upon.
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Here’s a list of three players that are likely to part ways with Mumbai ahead of the next edition:
3. Gerald Coetzee
After picking up 20 wickets in eight matches in the ODI World Cup 2023, Mumbai Indians signed the South Africa international for INR 5 crore in the IPL auction. He had a decent outing in his opening season as the 23-year-old picked up 13 wickets in ten matches. However, keeping the mega-auction in mind, Mumbai will have to let him go.
The franchise is very likely to retain Jasprit Bumrah and focus more on retaining their core players. That’s where Coetzee doesn’t fit. Among foreigners, Tim David and Dilshan Madushanka are ahead in the pecking order as they are more accustomed to the conditions of the Wankhede Stadium.
However, Mumbai may not shy away from using their RTM card on Coetzee. Since a lot of pacers will be available in the mega-auction, they might get him cheaper as well.
2. Nehal Wadhera
Nehal Wadhera has done a decent job for Mumbai in his limited time. He has represented the franchise in 20 matches and has scored 350 runs at a strike rate of 140. However, in the last season, he struggled with the bat and after Hardik Pandya’s arrival, his game time was restricted as well.
On top of that, Mumbai have plenty of Indian cricketers to choose from. Wadhera falls much lower in the pecking order but Mumbai can use their RTM card as well. Having good Indian players in the middle order is the key to success and Wadhera fits the bill in that regard.
Wadhera’s retention also depends on BCCI’s rule regarding the uncapped player. The 23-year-old is yet to play for the national team and if BCCI allows players to sign at least one uncapped player, Mumbai can sign him for the next edition. If not, he will have to be released.
1. Rohit Sharma
‘Mumbai cha Raja Rohit Sharma’ was trending whenever the five-time champions took the field in IPL 2024. The fans were infuriated when Rohit was removed as captain and it might lead to him leaving the franchise ahead of the next edition.
The 37-year-old played a pivotal part in helping Mumbai lift five IPL trophies but the franchise wanted to go in a new direction, which is why they brought in Pandya and handed him the baton. Rohit didn’t reveal his side of the story but his wife Ritika Sajdeh openly expressed her dissatisfaction when Rohit was removed.
The player however maintains a close relation with the owners of Mumbai. However, if the goal is to captain again in the IPL, Rohit would want to leave the side as several sides are interested in having him and handing him the captaincy baton. The player might also leave as Mumbai have plenty of players to choose from when it comes to retention.