The IPL 2024 has been really a forgettable season for Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, from being removed as the Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper to the cold war within the team and inconsistent performance with the bat.
However, Rohit will now certainly be keen on putting all the IPL 2024 drama behind him, as he is gearing up to lead the Indian cricket team in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and Caribbean, starting on June 1. Notably, the MI opener scored 417 runs in 14 games in this IPL season.
Well, after the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were crowned the IPL 2024 champions, former Indian batter and cricket expert, Aakash Chopra, made a bold prediction about Rohit’s IPL future with the Mumbai Indians (MI). He also shared his views on the possible retentions by the MI for the next mega IPL auction.
Rohit Sharma has played his last match for the MI: Aakash Chopra
Chopra predicted that MI may opt against retaining Ishan Kishan for the IPL 2025 due to his high price tag of INR 15.5 crores; instead, they might consider using the ‘Right to Match’ card during the upcoming IPL mega auction later this year.
In a surprising prediction, Chopra further claimed that Rohit might have played his last IPL match for the MI this season. The cricket analyst believes that a parting of ways between Sharma and MI is on the cards, and the reason could be anything, as he is not about the reasons. However, he strongly said that Rohit is unlikely to don the MI jersey in the IPL in 2025.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel: “I think they will let Ishan Kishan go. They might use the ‘Right to Match’ card because 15.5 crores is just too much money. I don’t think Ishan will be retained. I think Rohit Sharma has played his last match for the Mumbai Indians, whether he doesn’t want to be retained or the franchise lets him go.
Either way, I see them parting ways. I don’t think you will be seeing Rohit Sharma in the Mumbai Indians jersey again. That’s just my understanding. I might be wrong but I feel, either which way, Rohit Sharma will not be playing for the Mumbai Indians when you start the next season.”
Aakash Chopra predicts retentions for MI for IPL 2024
The former Indian batter also mentioned that Suryakumar Yadav will be one of MI’s retentions for the next season of the IPL. Chopra predicted that the MI will 100% want to retain Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the next mega auction. He stated: “Bumrah might be the first retention and Suryakumar Yadav might be the second retention for MI. But these two players are absolutely confirmed.”
Notably, MI has had a really terrible IPL 2024 season under their new captain, Hardik Pandya, finishing the campaign at the bottom of the standings with only four wins from 14 games. On the other hand, Ishan could manage only 320 runs at an average of 32 in 14 games for the MI this season.
