As the mega auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 looms, all eyes are on Mumbai Indians (MI) and their star player, Rohit Sharma. The five-time IPL champions are entering a crucial period, especially after a lacklustre 2024 campaign that saw them fail to make the playoffs and finish at the bottom of the points table. With the IPL 2025 mega auction on the horizon, one of the most pressing questions is whether MI will retain their former captain, or if he would enter the auction pool for the first time in over a decade.
Harbhajan Singh opines on Rohit Sharma’s future
In light of the upcoming auction, former MI captain Harbhajan Singh weighed in on the potential bidding war that could ensue if Rohit enters the auction pool.
Harbhajan made a statement about Rohit’s future in the IPL, suggesting it would be interesting to see whether MI would retain him. He speculated that if Rohit is released into the auction pool, many teams would likely bid for him, as several franchises are already considering such a move. Harbhajan implied that Rohit’s presence in the auction would spark intense interest from multiple teams.
“It will be interesting to see whether he will be retained or not. If he goes into the auction pool, it will be fascinating to see which team bids for him. I am sure many teams must be thinking along those lines,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying by Times of India.
The right-arm off-spinner also praised Rohit, calling him an amazing leader, player, and proven match-winner. He emphasized Rohit’s top-quality skills as both a leader and player and noted that despite being 37-years-old, Rohit still has a lot of cricket left in him.
“Rohit Sharma, as a leader and a player, is amazing. He is a top-quality player, top-quality captain, and leader. He’s a proven match-winner. Even at 37, he still has a lot of cricket left in him. If Rohit enters the auction, he will fetch big bucks. It will be exciting to see the auction unfold,” the cricketer-turned-commentator added.
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Rohit’s legacy at MI
Since joining MI in 2011, Rohit has not only become the face of the franchise but also one of their most successful players. Over the course of his IPL career, the right handed batter has amassed an impressive 5,458 runs in 212 matches.
Under his captaincy, MI clinched five IPL titles – in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020 – making him the most successful skipper in IPL history. Even in the 2024 season, despite MI’s collective struggles, Rohit finished as the team’s highest run-scorer, demonstrating that he still has plenty to offer.
Although Rohit no longer holds the captaincy at Mumbai Indians, his leadership credentials remain unrivaled. Having captained MI to five IPL titles, Rohit’s tactical acumen and ability to guide the team during crucial moments cannot be overlooked.
With the IPL 2025 mega auction looming, MI are at a crossroads. The team must decide whether to retain Rohit, who has been the face of the franchise for over a decade, or let him enter the auction pool.