IPL 2024: Former CSK star hopes Rohit Sharma links up with MS Dhoni's side in future

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Former India and Chennai Super Kings star Ambati Rayudu is hopeful that Rohit Sharma will switch to CSK from Mumbai Indians in the future amid news of the next IPL acution being a mega auction.

The IPL chairman Arun Dhumal confirmed last week that there would be a mega-auction ahead of the IPL 2025 with teams being allowed to retain only 3-4 players. This has led to gossip of where some players will ply their trade after the end of IPL 2024.

One such player in question was former Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit, who was replaced as captain by Hardik Pandya for the upcoming season. MI has faced flak for removing Rohit from captaincy and replacing him with Hardik, who was traded in from Gujarat Titans ahead of the IPL 2024 auction.

Many feel this will be Rohit's last season at the Mumbai-based club or even in the IPL. Rayudu, who retired from IPL last year, felt what MI did was wrong as Rohit has many more seasons left in him and could have led the side for one more season.

"I feel Rohit could have continued as captain for another year. I think he can play IPL for another 5-6 seasons," Rayudu told News24 Sports and also hoped the Indian skipper would join CSK and continue winning for the franchise.

"Maybe going forward, I would like to see him in CSK. He has played and won so much for Mumbai Indians, it would be nice to see him do it at CSK also," Rayudu added.

There is also speculation on whether Dhoni will continue playing after the upcoming season, leaving the door open for a new captain from 2025. Rohit would fit the bill, but Rayudu didn't directly say he can replace Dhoni as skipper.

However, the former MI and CSK player feels a player like Rohit, who has won five IPL titles as a captain and one as a player, can lead any side in the world if he wants the role.

"Whether he captains or not is upto him. But if he wants to, he can do it anywhere in the world," the former India batter further added.

MI is likely to retain Hardik, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. If Rohit decides on continuing to play, there will be a big demand for the Indian skipper at the auction.