IPL 2025: Hardik Pandya Should Not Be in Retention List of Mumbai Indians, Suggests Former India Cricketer

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As the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction approaches, former cricketer Ajay Jadeja has stirred the pot by suggesting that the Mumbai Indians (MI) should not retain their current captain, Hardik Pandya.

Instead, Jadeja advocates for utilising the Right to Match (RTM) card to secure the all-rounder if needed. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced new guidelines for the auction, allowing franchises to retain up to six players, including five retentions and one RTM card.

This new rule may compel several franchises, including MI, to limit their retentions to just three players due to budget constraints. In a discussion on Jio Cinema, Jadeja stated, "I'd say players like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah are undoubtedly the three players who will be retained by MI. It is impossible to get these players if put up for auction."

He emphasised that these players hold immense value, making it essential for MI to secure them ahead of the auction. Jadeja pointed out that while Pandya is a dynamic player, his recurring injuries could make other franchises hesitant to bid aggressively for him.

"Moreover, I think that MI can use their RTM card for Hardik Pandya. Yes, the kind of player he is, you might not get him either (in the auction). But there is a chance that his injury tendencies might make the other franchises not be able to open up their banks for him," Jadeja explained.

This perspective is particularly significant given MI's performance under Pandya's captaincy in the previous season, where the five-time champions finished at the bottom of the table. Jadeja's remarks highlight the complexities teams face when balancing player retention with strategic decisions leading into the auction.

The IPL governing council has also confirmed that the auction purse for franchises will be increased to Rs 120 crore, offering teams more financial flexibility. However, this adjustment could lead to fierce bidding wars during the auction, making Jadeja's suggestion to use the RTM card for Pandya a strategic move.