Mumbai Indians (MI) have announced that Hardik Pandya will remain as captain for IPL 2025, following a challenging 2024 season in which MI finished at the bottom of the table for only the second time in 17 years. Alongside Hardik, MI retained Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Tilak Varma, securing their core lineup ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
This retention, worth INR 75 crore, highlights MI’s commitment to building a strong core, leaving them with INR 45 crore to complete their squad at the auction. Jasprit Bumrah, retained at INR 18 crore, was MI’s highest retention for the first time, with Hardik and Suryakumar at INR 16.35 crore each, Rohit at INR 16.30 crore, and Tilak Varma at INR 8 crore.
Reflecting on his retention, Rohit Sharma expressed satisfaction with his position, stating, “Since I have retired from the format, I think this is the perfect spot for me. The players who are representing the national team at the highest level should get preference, and I am happy with it.”
Hardik Pandya also shared his gratitude, saying, “Everything I’ve achieved in my life has been part of Mumbai Indians. Playing again, every year is special, and this year will be even more special. We are five fingers but one fist, and we are coming back in 2025 with all guns blazing.”
Acknowledging MI’s struggles last season, franchise owner Akash Ambani stated, “We are thrilled that the strong legacy of MI will be carried forward by our retained players. The MI core group and our coaching staff have worked to establish a unified vision for MI, reinforcing our commitment to our fans and stakeholders. We are focused on bringing back the MI spirit and playing a passionate brand of cricket.”
In a move to strengthen the team, MI have rehired Mahela Jayawardene as head coach for the 2025 season, aiming to bounce back from last season’s performance.