(AFP Photo)
The IPL 2024 hasn’t been a memorable season for Indian captain Rohit Sharma. He faced challenges like losing his captaincy with the Mumbai Indians (MI), internal team conflicts, and struggles with his batting form.
Yet, Rohit is now focused on leaving behind the drama of IPL 2024. He’s preparing to lead the Indian cricket team in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and Caribbean, beginning on June 1. Despite the setbacks, Rohit managed to score 417 runs in 14 matches during this IPL season while playing for MI.
Following Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) victory in IPL 2024, former Indian cricketer and analyst Aakash Chopra made a daring forecast regarding Rohit Sharma’s future with the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL. He also weighed in on the potential players MI might retain for the upcoming mega IPL auction.
Rohit Sharma has played his last match for the MI: Aakash Chopra
Chopra foresees a potential scenario where Mumbai Indians (MI) could opt out of retaining Ishan Kishan for IPL 2025 due to his hefty price tag of INR 15.5 crores. Instead, they might exercise their ‘Right to Match’ option during the forthcoming IPL mega auction scheduled for later this year.
In a surprising turn of events, Chopra also speculated that Rohit Sharma might have concluded his tenure with MI after this season. The cricket pundit suggests that a parting of paths between Sharma and MI looms ahead, citing various possible reasons, albeit without specifying any. Nevertheless, he strongly asserted that Rohit is unlikely to sport the MI jersey in the IPL come 2025.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel: “I think they will let Ishan Kishan go. They might use the ‘Right to Match’ card because 15.5 crores is just too much money. I don’t think Ishan will be retained. I think Rohit Sharma has played his last match for the Mumbai Indians, whether he doesn’t want to be retained or the franchise lets him go.
Either way, I see them parting ways. I don’t think you will be seeing Rohit Sharma in the Mumbai Indians jersey again. That’s just my understanding. I might be wrong but I feel, either which way, Rohit Sharma will not be playing for the Mumbai Indians when you start the next season.”
Aakash Chopra forecasts which players Mumbai Indians might retain for IPL 2024.
The former Indian batter also mentioned that Suryakumar Yadav will be one of MI’s retentions for the next season of the IPL. Chopra predicted that the MI will 100% want to retain Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the next mega auction. He stated: “Bumrah might be the first retention and Suryakumar Yadav might be the second retention for MI. But these two players are absolutely confirmed.”
MI had a dismal IPL 2024 season with their newly appointed captain, Hardik Pandya, leading them to the bottom of the table. They secured only four victories out of 14 matches. Additionally, Ishan struggled to make an impact, accumulating just 320 runs at an average of 32 across 14 games for MI this season.
