Will Rohit Sharma play for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025? Here's the latest update

Despite finishing last in the points table, Mumbai made the biggest wave in the last edition of the Indian Premier League. The five-time winners engaged in a rather shocking trade right ahead of IPL 2024. Mumbai Indians brought back Hardik Pandya to the side, who left the Gujarat Titans to join the Paltan once again. However, as the Gujarat skipper made his way back into Mumbai, he replaced Rohit Sharma as the team captain. Expectedly, the franchise, and especially Hardik Pandya, faced massive scrutiny from IPL fans. While Gujarat fans criticized Pandya for his perceived lack of ‘loyalty’ to their side, Mumbai fans lashed out at the all-rounder for overtaking Rohit Sharma in the leading position.

With all the drama surrounding MI in IPL 2024, it was strongly predicted that Rohit Sharma would mark his exit from the franchise ahead of IPL 2025. Moreover, prominent match-winners for Mumbai over the years, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, were also reported to be on the move. Now, as the respective teams gear up for the IPL 2025 mega auction, it remains to be seen if the Mumbai Indians can retain the Indian skipper or if Rohit Sharma will finally leave the franchise.

The Mumbai Indians and Rohit Sharma Debacle of IPL 2024

It can be easily stated that Rohit Sharma has played an elemental role in making Mumbai Indians one of the most successful franchises in the IPL, alongside the Chennai Super Kings. Mumbai Indians won their first IPL trophy in 2011 under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. Subsequently, MI won four more trophies under Rohit, with their last recorded title win in 2020. Thus, it came as a shock to the cricket fraternity and fans alike when the management decided to bring back Hardik Pandya and replace Sharma as the team captain.

As a result, Hardik Pandya faced the ire of fans, who booed the Mumbai skipper from the stands at every ground he visited. However, the debacle went deeper than just fan anger. The move by Mumbai's management to appoint Hardik Pandya reportedly divided the team into two factions. Reports suggested that some players continued to view Sharma as their leader, while others complied with Pandya’s new role.

The team, moreover, failed miserably in IPL 2024, finishing last in the points table and becoming the first to exit the playoffs race. Subsequently, there were reports that key players like Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and mainly Rohit Sharma would leave Mumbai ahead of IPL 2025.

Rohit Sharma to continue with Mumbai Indians for IPL 2025?

With the IPL 2025 mega auction fast approaching, several reports have suggested Rohit Sharma’s exit from Mumbai. Recently, a report indicated that LSG is looking to acquire Rohit Sharma, allocating a significant portion of their budget for the Indian skipper. However, this is all speculative at this moment, as none of the teams have made official statements on the situation.

According to a recent report doing rounds in the media, Rohit Sharma has apparently resolved his issues with the Mumbai management. If these reports are to be believed, Rohit Sharma will be retained by Mumbai ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. While confirmation about Sharma’s future is still awaited, a Mumbai official recently confirmed that Suryakumar Yadav will continue with MI for the upcoming season.

"No, he won’t leave. Just people speculating on social media in order to get engagement,” an MI source said, as quoted by SportsTak.

Furthermore, Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin also weighed in on the situation. On his YouTube channel, Ashwin suggested that Sharma would likely remain with Mumbai to avoid any additional stress. Ashwin added that, after a certain point, money becomes less of a factor, making it plausible for Rohit to be retained by Mumbai for IPL 2025 and beyond.

"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 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.

No official statement has been made yet by either the Mumbai Indians or Rohit Sharma regarding the upcoming IPL season. However, if the former Indian T20I captain chooses to enter the IPL 2025 mega auction, he could ignite a bidding war. Although Rohit Sharma has retired from the shortest format of the game, he has recently been in exceptional form as an opening batter. It remains to be seen whether Rohit Sharma will give other IPL franchises the opportunity to acquire him or if the Mumbai Indians will succeed in their efforts to retain their former skipper.