Rohit Sharma set to depart Mumbai Indians in unconventional manner, reveals former Indian cricketer

New Delhi: The upcoming mega auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has sparked discussions about Rohit Sharma's future with the Mumbai Indians. The five-time IPL-winning captain was relieved of his captaincy duties last season, with Hardik Pandya assuming the role. However, the decision was met with backlash from fans, who criticized and jeered Pandya during Mumbai Indians' matches.

On being asked why Rohit was removed from captaincy, the Mumbai Indians management remained mum on the issue. There were rumours that the relationship between Mumbai Indians and Rohit might have deteriorated but his felicitation at Ambani’s wedding proved the critics wrong.

Former India cricketer-turned-analyst, Aakash Chopra opined Rohit might shift base via trading. “Will he stay or will he go? It’s a big question. Personally, I feel he will not stay. Whoever is retained will be with the thinking that he will remain with you for three years, unless your name is MS Dhoni,” Chopra said in response to a fan’s question on his YouTube channel.

“MS Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings’ story is very different but Rohit Sharma at MI, I feel he might himself leave or MI might leave him,” he added. Having said that, IPL doesn’t allow pre-auction tradings ahead of a mega auction. Pandya was a part of a pre-auction trade last year.

“Anything can happen but I don’t think Rohit is going to be retained here. I don’t have any information but I feel Rohit will probably be released. He might go to someone in the trade window, that’s a possibility that he doesn’t go to the auction, but if that doesn’t happen, he might be seen in the auction. I feel his journey with the Mumbai Indians is over,” added the former KKR opener.