Published By: Sanchari Das

Rohit, Hardik, or SKY? Exploring MI's Best Retention Combinations for IPL 2025

As the mega auction approaches, MI fans will be eager to see which combination will take the team back to the top, ready for another IPL title run

Mumbai Indians (MI) have always been the team to watch in the IPL, with a loyal fan base and a star-studded roster. After a tough 2024 season and a last-place finish, MI is now focusing on the 2025 mega auction. Reports suggest Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav are the main retention choices. With a maximum of six retentions, including two uncapped players, MI's strategy for building a competitive team could be fascinating. This article explores potential retention combinations, each with its own benefits and trade-offs for MI's IPL 2025 season.

Retain the entire core

MI could opt for a safe route and retain all their core players, which would include Bumrah (₹18 crore), Hardik (₹18 crore), Suryakumar (₹14 crore), Ishan Kishan (₹14 crore), Tilak Varma (₹11 crore), and either Nehal Wadhera or Naman Dhir as an uncapped choice (₹4 crore each). This approach would solidify MI's line-up, securing a top-order left-hander, a powerful middle-order hitter, and their best domestic bowler. However, this strategy would cost MI ₹79 crore, leaving them with limited auction funds. But the team would maintain a solid Indian core and excellent line-up depth.

Get bold by dropping Hardik Pandya

One unexpected strategy MI could consider is to let go of Hardik Pandya, who had a turbulent captaincy stint in 2024. They might choose instead to retain Rohit (₹14 crore), Suryakumar (₹11 crore), and Bumrah (₹18 crore) while including Wadhera and Dhir (₹4 crore each) as their uncapped options. This would cost MI ₹51 crore, leaving a sizeable ₹74 crore for the auction. While losing Hardik may seem drastic, it frees up resources to build around Rohit and Suryakumar, with Bumrah as their bowling anchor. This line-up would offer flexibility and could potentially bring stability.

Stick to the essentials

Retaining just the essentials—Bumrah (₹18 crore), Hardik (₹14 crore), and Suryakumar (₹11 crore)—allows MI to prioritise flexibility. By focusing on this trio, MI would retain top talent while maintaining ₹97 crore for the auction, plus three RTM cards. This approach would give MI a strong core and the flexibility to buy back key players like Kishan, Tilak, or others. It's a calculated risk, as MI would rely heavily on the auction, but it allows them to secure essential players while keeping plenty of financial room for new additions.

Rohit's role and legacy

Rohit Sharma's potential retention, costing ₹14 crore, has been the subject of intense speculation. His form in IPL has fluctuated, but his leadership is invaluable. By retaining him alongside Hardik, Bumrah, and Suryakumar, MI could invest ₹64 crore, with ₹61 crore left for the auction. Despite recent challenges, Rohit provides stability and experience. His retention could signify MI's commitment to staying competitive and fostering a balanced mix of youth and experience. This would allow MI to focus on younger talents who can support Rohit as they rebuild for a strong 2025 season.

The uncapped retention conundrum

For uncapped retentions, MI has exciting options like Nehal Wadhera and Naman Dhir, each costing ₹4 crore. Retaining both players would allow MI to invest in emerging talents and cost them a combined ₹8 crore. Their presence in the squad would enhance depth, especially since they both offer batting versatility and part-time bowling. The retention of Wadhera and Dhir would keep MI's spending low, while these two could evolve under the mentorship of senior players. With an emphasis on domestic talent, MI's retention strategy could set the team up for long-term success.

The auction game

Right to Match (RTM) cards can offer MI the opportunity to regain key players without spending excessively. The Indian Express reports that MI might use RTMs for Tim David and Ishan Kishan, allowing them to balance their retained core with returning stars. This approach provides MI with flexibility, especially since players like Kishan might not fetch as high a price in the auction as they did in 2022. RTMs allow MI to keep bidding power in reserve, focusing on getting players they know and trust back into the squad, boosting team coherence and performance.