Mumbai Indians IPL 2025 Retention List: Who Could Be MI's Most Expensive Retained Player?
Rohit, Pandya and Bumrah could be among MI's retentions [Source: IPLT20.com]
To the delight of cricket fans across the globe, the much-awaited IPL 2025 retention list will be revealed tomorrow. The ten IPL franchises are all set to submit their final retention list ahead of the mega auction.
Regarding Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions would like to revamp their team in order to improve their performance in the IPL. After emerging triumphant in 2020, MI failed to replicate a similar success in the subsequent editions. Although they amended their leadership group, replacing Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as their captain, it didn't bring desirable results for them in the IPL 2024.
Therefore, as the five-time champions gear up for the mega auction, let's see which player they might prefer for their top retention.
According to IPL's modified guidelines, the franchises have been assigned a salary slab of 18 Cr for their top retention. The second and third picks can be retained for 14 Cr and 11 Cr, respectively, with the other two retentions receiving 18 and 14 Cr, respectively.
Apart from five capped players, the franchises must retain at least one uncapped player ahead of the auction. However, these limits are flexible, and the teams can modify the prices and the numbers of capped and uncapped players as needed.
IPL 2025: Jasprit Bumrah Could Be MI's Most Expensive Retention
Now, coming to Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions have several key players they will likely retain for the upcoming season. While Rohit Sharma is a certain starter, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya will be among MI's retentions. They have such a brilliant core that there's a dilemma surrounding their potential top retention.
Why should Jasprit Bumrah Be MI's Most Expensive Retention?
While Rohit, Surya and Pandya bring enormous experience and skillsets to the table, Jasprit Bumrah might pip everyone and emerge as the winner in the race to become MI's first retention. The fast bowler literally doesn't have an equally good alternative, so MI have no option other than prioritising him for their top retention.
Jasprit Bumrah's MI career
Bumrah has been the backbone of MI's bowling unit and is at the peak of his prowess. So, he deserves a pay-hike, which he will get if MI retain him as their first pick. He has been associated with the franchise since 2013, scalping 165 wickets in 133 matches and establishing himself as Mumbai's trump card in the tournament.
MI's Conundrum Regarding The Other Retentions
SKY will likely be MI's third retention [Source: IPLT20.com]
Player | MI career | Previous year's salary | Potential IPL 2025 salary |
---|---|---|---|
Hardik Pandya | 2015-2022, 2024-Present | 15 Cr | 16-17 Cr |
Suryakumar Yadav | 2018-Present | 8 Cr | 11 Cr |
Rohit Sharma | 2011-Present | 16 Cr | 18 Cr |
Nehal Wadhera (uncapped) | 2023-Present | 20 Lakhs | 4 Cr |
Skipper Hardik Pandya could be MI's second retention, with the five-time champions paying him something around the 16 Cr mark. If the all-rounder receives more than the prescribed amount of 14 Crores, the same amount will be deducted from someone else's potential salary. We reckon MI might use the RTM card for Tilak Varma to repurchase him at a price lower than the prescribed amounts so they can use that surplus amount to settle the deal with Pandya.
India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav could be MI's third retention. The swashbuckling batter is one of MI's most valuable assets and might earn an additional amount of three crores than his current IPL salary of eight crores.
Meanwhile, Rohit has been inconsistent with the bat in the IPL, and there have also been talks of MI moving on from their former captain. However, considering his stature, the franchise will likely retain him in their setup. As he is receiving INR 16 Crores now, Rohit might be MI's fourth retention and get a two-crore increment. Meanwhile, Nehal Wadhera seems the front-runner to become MI's uncapped retention for INR 4 Crores.
MI's IPL 2025 Retention: Conclusion
All in all, these five players will likely be MI's retained players ahead of the mega auction, with Bumrah being their top priority for the most expensive retention. Having said that, the retention list always throws surprises, so it will be interesting to see how the five-time champions strategise their retention.