Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav would have fetched INR 25 crore if they had put their names in the IPL 2025 auction. Chopra praised Mumbai Indians for their excellent retention in which they were able to retain to his four great Indian players.
Mumbai Indians retained Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma ahead of the auctions. Bumrah was retained for Rs 18 million, Pandya and Suryakumar for Rs 16.35 million, Rohit for Rs 16.30 million and Tilak Varma for Rs 8 million.
All of these players have played extremely important roles for the franchise over the years. While the first four players are experienced cricketers and have featured in several titles, Tilak Varma is the future of Mumbai Indians.
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Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav reportedly got INR 25 crore – Aakash Chopra
While speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra claimed that Mumbai Indians did an outstanding job in convincing their players to be retained before the auction. He claimed that players like Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav would have fetched INR 25 crore if they had put their names in the auction.
“What they have achieved is something absolutely extraordinary because Jasprit Bumrah would have taken Rs 25 million if he had gone to the auction. If he had told any franchise that he wanted Rs 25 million, anyone would have given him Rs 25 million, and I’m pretty sure the other franchises would have approached him too,” Chopra opined.
Jasprit Bumrah is arguably the best bowler in the IPL in recent years. The fast bowler is a true wicket-taker and is also an exceptional bowler. Bumrah’s stock has risen in recent years and he has improved with each season.
“There is no ego” – Aakash Chopra on Suryakumar Yadav
Chopra also praised Suryakumar Yadav for not showing ego despite knowing that he is not the captain of the team. Hardik Pandya, who captained Mumbai Indians last season, has also been roped in for the upcoming season.
“They would have approached him and Suryakumar Yadav too because he is not even the captain. Hardik (Pandya) is the captain and Suryakumar Yadav is the captain of the Indian T20I team,” Chopra said.
“So there is no ego. He is ready to play for this franchise and for Rs 16.35 million. He would have also received Rs 25 million if he had said that he wanted to go for the auction and also for the captaincy of another team,” he added. .
Suryakumar Yadav: a potential captaincy candidate
Apart from being a devastating T20 batsman, Suryakumar is also a potential captaincy candidate. He is also currently India’s T20I captain, but MI showed faith in Hardik to lead the team again.
Mumbai Indians have already spent Rs 75 crore after retaining these five players. They have INR 45 crore left for the IPL 2025 auction. The five-time IPL champions had one of their worst seasons in IPL 2024 and this time they will look to make a comeback.