The Toughest Retention For Mumbai Indians This Year, Releasing Our Gun Players Is Absolutely Heart-Breaking - Rohit Sharma

Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma is heartbroken as the franchise had to release some of their “solid, absolutely gun” players ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction.

The five-time champions announced on Tuesday that they have retained Rohit Sharma (16 cr), Jasprit Bumrah (12 cr), Suryakumar Yadav (8 cr), and Kieron Pollard (6 cr), letting go off Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Trent Boult, Rahul Chahar, Quinton de Kock – players who have been key parts of the franchise’s dominance in the last few years. 

Rohit Sharma asserted that it was a tough decision to make and lauded the players who have been released.

“As you all know, it was going to be the toughest retention for Mumbai Indians this year. We have had solid players, absolutely gun players in our squad and to release them is absolutely heart-breaking,” Rohit Sharma said after the retentions were announced.

“They have done some amazing work for this franchise, created a lot of memories. So, to let them go was really tough.”

We can form a good core and create a solid team around us: Rohit Sharma

Further, Rohit Sharma stressed on building their squad around the four retained core members.

Going into the mega-auction, MI would be looking for a wicket-keeper and all-rounders to fill up the voids of the players who haven’t been retained. The skipper also showed confidence in MI’s scouting team that has unearthed some bright talents over the years.

“Four players including myself – hopefully, we can form a good core and create a solid team around us. The immediate goal is to form a solid team and that will start at the auction. We’ll keep an eye on who we can get in the auction, find the right spot for the right players.

“So yeah, our scouts are doing a fantastic job, watching talents in and outside India. I have faith and belief in them. They have done an amazing job over the years finishing talent. Hopefully, we can find some players that can form a good core,” Rohit Sharma asserted.

The two new franchises – Lucknow and Ahmedabad – have been given the deadline of December 25 to finalize their three picks (2 Indians, 1 overseas).

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