Ravichandran Ashwin expects Rohit Sharma to stay with Mumbai Indians

Speculation is rife about the future of Rohit Sharma with the Mumbai Indians (MI), as reports continue to circulate regarding potential tensions within the franchise’s dressing room. The buzz on social media has only intensified since MI handed over the captaincy to Hardik Pandya last season, leading many to wonder if Rohit might part ways with the team ahead of the upcoming mega auction for the 2025 IPL season.

Rohit Sharma, who has been synonymous with Mumbai Indians’ success over the years, finds himself at a crossroads. The five-time IPL champions have been grappling with internal challenges, particularly in managing the balance between retaining their star players and fostering a harmonious team environment. 

Reports suggest that the sudden captaincy change last season, which saw Hardik Pandya take over the leadership role, may have created an unsettling atmosphere within the squad. Rohit, who has led MI to five IPL titles, is reportedly not pleased with how the transition was handled, further fueling speculation about his future with the franchise.

However, amidst the swirling rumours, Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has offered a different perspective. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin suggested that Rohit might still be inclined to stay with Mumbai Indians, despite the leadership shake-up. Ashwin emphasized that for seasoned players like Rohit, the decision to stay with a franchise might not be driven by financial considerations alone.

“In fact, even if you think like Rohit, it’s not wrong at all. I don’t want any headache. I have been a captain for India. I have captained for Mumbai many times. Even if I am not a captain, I am going to Mumbai happily. If I play for Mumbai, it’s super. I am sure most players are like that. After a stage, money doesn’t matter for some of those players. That’s the thing,” Ashwin said in his YouTube Video.

While Rohit has yet to make any public statements about his intentions, the upcoming IPL 2025 auction presents a complex scenario for Mumbai Indians. The franchise is facing tough decisions regarding player retentions and releases, with the presence of Hardik Pandya complicating matters further. MI is stacked with talent, and managing their roster ahead of the auction will be a significant challenge.

Assuming that Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah are the first two retentions, MI would then face the difficult task of choosing between Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma for the remaining retention slots. Both players are highly valuable, and it’s clear that either could command substantial sums if they were to enter the auction pool. Even a potential trade could see Suryakumar and Rohit emerge as top targets for other franchises, underlining their importance in the current MI setup.

The situation is delicate, with MI needing to navigate their retentions carefully to maintain team cohesion and respect the contributions of their veteran players. Rohit Sharma has been the cornerstone of Mumbai Indians’ dominance in the IPL, and any decision regarding his future must consider his immense contributions to the franchise. As the team finalizes their retention strategy, it remains to be seen whether Rohit will continue his journey with MI or explore new opportunities elsewhere.