IPL 2025: Hardik Pandya released, Rohit Sharma retained as ex-cricketer unveils MI retention list

Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja has asked Mumbai Indians to release their captain Hardik Pandya ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auctions. Instead, Jadeja asked MI to retain Rohit Sharma ahead of Hardik Pandya.

While Jadeja asked Mumbai to release Hardik, he expected the franchise to retain Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav ahead of the auctions. Pandya is one of the premier all-rounders of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

He started his IPL career with Mumbai Indians as he was found by the franchise in their talent hunt. Since then, he has evolved into one of the few world-class fast-bowling all-rounders in the world, especially in white-ball cricket.

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Ajay Jadeja advises Mumbai Indians to retain Rohit Sharma ahead of Hardik Pandya

While speaking on Jio Cinema, Ajay Jadeja shared his views on the retention picks of Mumbai Indians during the rain break on the third day of the Kanpur Test between India and Bangladesh.

Jadeja reckoned that Mumbai should release Hardik before the mega auctions and look to pick him up by using the RTM card at the auctions. He also expects Mumbai to retain former captain Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah.

"I'd say, players like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, are undoubtedly the three players who will be retained by MI. It is impossible to get these players if put up for auction," Jadeja said on Jio Cinema.

"Moreover, I think that MI can use their RTM card for Hardik Pandya. Yes, the kind of player he is, you might not get him either (in the auction). But there is a chance that his injury tendencies might make the other franchises not be able to open up their banks for him," he added.

Rohit Sharma was removed from MI's captaincy for the last year in favor of Pandya. Rohit is the joint-most successful captain in IPL history along with MS Dhoni as he has led Mumbai Indians to five title wins.

Jasprit Bumrah more valuable than Hardik Pandya

Hardik has been injury-prone throughout his career and missed several important matches during his career so far. Due to his history with injuries, the allrounder was not given India's captaincy despite being the team's vice-captain previously.

Ajay Jadeja further compared the value of Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah and claimed that Bumrah is more valuable than Pandya and deserves to be retained earlier than Pandya.

"If you have an RTM, then you can use to their advantage. I am not saying that this decides the player's calibre or power, but if you look at a player like Bumrah and his value and then Hardik Pandya on the market, it will be a difficult business," Jadeja added.

Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah started playing for Mumbai Indians almost at the same time. While Pandya was released by the franchise for two IPL seasons, Bumrah has been associated with the franchise since his debut. Both the players were part of the golden generation of Mumbai Indians.