IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra names three players which Mumbai Indians should retain

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has named three players which Mumbai Indians should retain before the mega IPL 2022 auction.

Chopra feels MI should retain their skipper Rohit Sharma, gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

Rohit has led the team to five IPL titles and he is one of the most successful captains as well as batters of the league. Bumrah has been instrumental in the success of the team as he is now regarded as one of the best death bowlers in the world. Furthermore, Hardik Pandya has also done a fine job for the team over the years.

In fact, both Bumrah and Pandya started their IPL journeys with Mumbai Indians and have taken giant strides in their career since making their debuts.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former India Test opener commented: “I don’t think teams will be allowed to retain more than three players. In my opinion, Mumbai Indians should retain Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. That would be my choice.”

On the other hand, there was no place for Rohit Sharma in the Aakash Chopra’s best XI of the bottom four teams of the league stage. Rohit scored 381 runs in 13 matches at an average of 29.30 in IPL 2021 before MI was knocked out. Chopra added that Rohit hasn’t had a spectacular season so far in the tournament.

“Rohit Sharma made runs but the typical big season has never come for him in the IPL. I cannot recall him scoring 500-600 runs in one IPL season. As good a cricketer as he is, Rohit hasn’t scored a lot of runs in franchise cricket in one season. He batted well but the big runs were still missing.”

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians were knocked out as they had an inferior NRR as compared to KKR. The defending champions have been a formidable unit over the years in the IPL and it will be interesting to note their retentions.