Hardik Pandya Captain: In a major decision for IPL 2025, Hardik Pandya will continue as the captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI), marking a pivotal move as MI announced their retained players for the upcoming season. Retaining Pandya as captain over Rohit Sharma underscores a strategic choice for the five-time champions, who aim to revamp their leadership with Pandya at the helm.
Mumbai Indians retained their core players, including Jasprit Bumrah, who was held for the highest amount at ₹18 crore. Both Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav were retained at ₹16.35 crore each, slightly edging out Rohit Sharma’s ₹16.30 crore retention. Tilak Varma, a rising star and emerging leader, was retained for ₹8 crore, rounding out the team’s key domestic roster.
This move follows last year’s contentious decision, where Pandya was brought back to MI from Gujarat through a high-profile trade and handed the captaincy. Rohit, who captained MI to multiple IPL titles, was reportedly less enthusiastic about stepping back from the role. A video of Rohit’s conversation with then-KKR assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, where Rohit hinted at his desire to move on from MI, stirred controversy and fuelled speculation about his potential exit. Despite a rocky start under Pandya’s leadership, Mumbai is focused on rebuilding and aligning around a refreshed strategy.
Pandya’s first season as MI captain saw the team struggle, finishing 10th with only four wins out of 14 matches. Fan reactions were mixed, with some MI fans expressing frustration, but recent developments have signaled a new era for the franchise. Hardik’s impressive T20 World Cup performance has reignited fan support, with many anticipating a comeback under his leadership. Rohit and Hardik also demonstrated camaraderie during the T20 World Cup victory celebrations, putting to rest rumors of a rift.
The retained players will form Mumbai’s leadership group, contributing experience and insights from their extensive international careers. Pandya and Suryakumar have both captained India in T20s, Bumrah has served as vice-captain in Test cricket, and Rohit has led the national team across all formats. Varma, who recently captained India in the Emerging Asia Cup, completes the team’s core, bringing fresh talent and perspective.
With one Right to Match (RTM) card available, Mumbai has the flexibility to add an uncapped player to the squad during the auction. The decision to release Ishan Kishan has created room for new additions and strategic acquisitions to strengthen the team.
As the season approaches, Mumbai Indians’ bold decision to continue with Hardik Pandya as captain marks a significant shift, potentially setting the stage for a revitalized MI team ready to climb the ranks and compete for the IPL 2025 title.
