In a surprising and selfless move, former Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Rohit Sharma has volunteered to be retained as the fourth player on MI’s retention list for IPL 2025, letting the spotlight shift. will focus on MI’s young talents.
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene highlighted this gesture on Jio Cinema and shared how Rohit’s decision reflects his commitment to the team and his support for MI’s future.
READ: Mumbai Indians’ list of retained players for IPL 2025 announced
Mumbai Indians recently announced their retained players for the upcoming season, with the franchise holding on to the “Big Four” of Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav.
It was also officially confirmed that Hardik Pandya, who took over as MI captain last season, will continue in the role, cementing his position as MI’s leader. Apart from the senior players, MI has also retained promising young left-hander Tilak Varma, investing in youth as they prepare for the new season.
A selfless gesture from Rohit Sharma
Despite being MI’s most successful captain, Rohit reportedly suggested taking the fourth retainer spot to emphasize MI’s future talents. Valued at INR 16.3 crore, Rohit’s decision allowed Bumrah, Suryakumar and Hardik to take up higher retention positions, helping to highlight the new generation of leaders in the team.
Known for leading MI to five IPL titles, Rohit’s sacrifice highlights his respect for the MI team’s vision and his commitment to nurturing MI’s young talent.
“Since I retired from this format, I think this is the best place for me,” Rohit Sharma said at Jio Cinema.
Speaking about Rohit’s decision, the MI head coach praised the former captain’s mentality, emphasizing that this act reflects Rohit’s dedication to MI’s ‘One Family’ culture. Even as he steps away from the captaincy, Rohit’s influence within the team remains crucial, especially with the wealth of experience he brings to the dressing room.
Hardik Pandya: Mumbai Indians confirm captain
After a mixed season last year, Hardik Pandya was confirmed as MI captain for IPL 2025. Known for his aggressive leadership style, Hardik has already led a team to victory with Gujarat Titans and now returns to MI with high hopes of replicate similar success.
Hardik, retained for INR 16.35 crore, quickly assumed a leadership role, balancing his powerful presence on the field with a new focus on the team’s strategy.
Hardik’s role as MI captain adds a dynamic element to the team setup, especially with senior players like Rohit and Suryakumar supporting him. The official confirmation of his captaincy allows MI to stabilize its leadership structure and focus on building a strong support system around its core.
With Rohit, Hardik, Suryakumar and Bumrah forming the backbone, MI have focused on experience and consistency, aiming to establish a cohesive unit around their senior players. Jasprit Bumrah, retained at the highest price of INR 18 crore, anchors the bowling attack, while Suryakumar Yadav, also valued at INR 16.35 crore, adds explosive power to the batting order.
READ: IPL 2025 retentions announced for all 10 teams
Retaining Tilak Varma at INR 8 crore further shows MI’s belief in the young batsman’s potential, positioning him as a key middle-order player in MI’s long-term vision.
Together, MI’s retained core absorbed INR 75 crore of the team’s total cap of INR 120 crore, leaving them with INR 45 crore to spend in the auction. This budget will allow MI to strategically add supporting players to complement their lineup, with plans to address gaps in both the middle order and spin department.
With a Right to Match (RTM) option available, MI management can bring back a valuable player during the auction if necessary.