Punjab Kings to target Rohit Sharma in IPL 2025 auction?

If released by the Mumbai Indians, Rohit Sharma would spark bidding wars and command a high price in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, according to Sanjay Bangar, Head of Cricket Development for the Punjab Kings. When it comes to whether Punjab Kings would place an offer for Rohit when the captain of India enters the auction later this year, the former all-rounder for India remained hesitant.

Sanjay Bangar emphasized that Rohit Sharma would be among the most sought-after players if he is sold in the auction before the IPL 2025, but he also said that a lot will rely on the retention regulations, which will be finalized before the big auction next year.

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In IPL 2025, Hardik Pandya a player acquired from Gujarat Titans replaced the five-time champion Rohit Sharma as captain of the Mumbai Indians. During the IPL 2024 season, rumors of discomfort in the dressing room circulated, suggesting that Rohit was not thrilled with the transfer. Throughout the season, several Mumbai Indians supporters jeered Hardik because they felt that Rohit was getting less attention than he was. Mumbai finished with the wooden spoon with only four victories in 14 games as they struggled to get the desired results under Hardik’s leadership.

Although Rohit Sharma and the Mumbai Indians have not discussed their separation, it is unclear if the captain of the T20 World Cup-winning team would choose to stay with the team following the 2023 drama.

Everything depends on Rohit Availability

We’ll just have to wait and see if Rohit shows up for the auction. I used to play for the Deccan Chargers alongside Rohit. He has been a Mumbai lad ever since. Yes, there has been a shift in the perspective of Mumbai Indians. However, as it is an issue under consideration, everything hinges on the retentions. We learn the total number of players after the retentions are clear. We must be aware of the players that the teams have released. That’s when we’ll find out who enters the auctions and which team will pursue a certain player,” Sanjay Bangar stated on The Rao Podcast.

Everything hinges on whether or not we have cash on hand. Because I am confident that Rohit would get a very high price if he enters the auction,” Bangar remarked.

The Mumbai Indians and Rohit Sharma have a long-standing bond. The captain of India has guided MI to five IPL championships between 2013 and 2020, assisting in their development as a formidable team.

The Mumbai Indians, however, said unequivocally in 2024 that they took the decision to select Hardik Pandya with the long term in mind. Additionally, their head coach Mark Boucher made a suggestion that the choice was made to release 37-year-old Rohit from the leadership duties so he could concentrate more on his batting. Even though Rohit scored a century in the first half of the season, his form deteriorated as the game went on.