Will Rohit Sharma stay with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025? Here is what former Indian opener has to say...

Rohit Sharma plays a shot in IPL match. (File Photo)

There has been significant speculation that Rohit Sharma might leave the Mumbai Indians (MI) for the next Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Rumours have swirled about the former MI captain potentially joining teams like Lucknow Super Giants, Punjab Kings, or even Delhi Capitals.

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra addressed a fan's query on his YouTube channel and suggested that Rohit Sharma's time with the Mumbai Indians could be ending. Chopra mentioned that the franchise might release Rohit before the auction or possibly trade him to another team. He stated, “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. Chennai Super Kings' and Dhoni's story is very different but Rohit Sharma at MI, I feel he might himself leave or MI might leave him.”

Chopra further elaborated, “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.”

Tensions surfaced between Rohit Sharma and the Mumbai Indians when Hardik Pandya was appointed team captain, replacing Sharma, ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. After leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, Sharma announced his retirement from T20I cricket, followed shortly by Virat Kohli's decision to retire from the format. Consequently, for prominent batsmen like Rohit and Virat, the IPL is set to become even more significant as it remains their primary opportunity to play T20 cricket.