Will Rohit Sharma End His 12-Year Association With Mumbai Indians Before the 2025 IPL Mega-Auction?

If there is a player who is synonymous with an IPL franchise, it is Rohit Sharma with Mumbai Indians. The 37-year-old batsman joined the franchise in 2011, and since then he has led them to five IPL title. However, it’s looking like his long-standing association with MI might come to a premature end.

Rohit Sharma’s future with the Mumbai Indians has been a topic of contention since the 2024 IPL. After becoming MI’s highest run scorer and leading them to a record five IPL titles, the ‘Hitman’ was unceremoniously removed as the captain of the franchise in favor of Hardik Pandya. This decision reportedly sparked a civil war-like atmosphere in the MI dressing room, with players splitting into 'Camp Pandya' and 'Camp Rohit.' The fallout saw Mumbai Indians finish rock bottom last season, managing just 8 points from 14 matches. 

In the wake of that poor performance, rumors are swirling that MI might be considering releasing Rohit Sharma. Some sources even claim that Rohit himself is open to a move, with Lucknow Super Giants eagerly waiting in the wings. Former Indian batsman Akash Chopra weighed in on his YouTube channel, suggesting that Rohit's time with MI is likely over. He said, "Will he stay or will he go? It's a big question. Personally, I feel he will not stay. Whoever is retained will be with the thinking that he will remain with you for three years, unless your name is MS Dhoni. MS Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings' story is very different but Rohit Sharma at MI, I feel he might himself leave or MI might leave him." 

Chopra further added, “Anything can happen, but I don't think Rohit is going to be retained here. I don't have any information, but I feel Rohit will probably be released. He might go to someone in the trade window, that's a possibility that he doesn't go to the auction, but if that doesn't happen, he might be seen in the auction. I feel his journey with the Mumbai Indians is over.” 

While rumors linking Rohit to Lucknow Super Giants could gain traction if MI releases him before the IPL mega-auction, for now, they remain just that—rumors. LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka has already called reports linking Rohit to his franchise “baseless,” although he did admit that Rohit Sharma is on his "Wishlist" for the upcoming auction. The IPL's next big shake-up could be on the horizon, and all eyes will be on where the Hitman lands next.