Rohit Sharma, the five-time IPL-winning Mumbai Indians (MI) ex-captain, is rumored to enter the auction ahead of IPL 2025. And Punjab Kings (PBKS) coach Sanjay Bangar revealed whether the franchise would bid for him.
Rohit Sharma did not captain the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025, as the five-time champions replaced him with Hardik Pandya, who was traded from Gujarat Titans. Rohit appeared dissatisfied with the change, and stories of uneasiness in the dressing room circulated throughout the IPL 2024 season.
While neither Mumbai Indians nor Rohit Sharma has spoken about parting ways, it remains to be seen if the T20 World Cup-winning captain would want to continue with the franchise after the whole ordeal.
Rohit Sharma will trigger bidding wars and fetch a big sum at the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) mega auction if he is released by Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings' Head of Cricket Development, Sanjay Bangar, said.
The former India all-rounder declined to comment on whether the Punjab Kings will offer for Rohit if the Indian captain enters the auction pool later this year.
Sanjay Bangar stated that a lot will rely on the retention regulations that will be finalized before the mega auction next year, but he emphasized that Rohit Sharma will be one of the most sought-after players if he is sold in the auction before the IPL 2025.
"We will have to wait and watch (will Rohit head to the auction?). I played with Rohit at one point for the Deccan Chargers. From there, he has been a Mumbai boy. Yes, there was a change in direction as far as Mumbai Indians are concerned. But, it all depends on the retentions, because that is a topic which is under consideration.
Once there is clarity on the retentions, then we get to know the number of players. We need to know the players that are released by the teams. Only then we will know who will come into the auctions and which is the team that will run after a particular player. It all depends on whether we have the money in our pockets. Because if Rohit comes into the auction, I certainly believe he is going to go for a very high price," Sanjay Bangar told The Rao Podcast.