IPL 2025 Auction: Why did Mumbai Indians not use RTM for Ishan Kishan in Mega Auction?

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Mumbai Indians (MI) did not use their Right to Match (RTM) option for Ishan Kishan during the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, where he was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for ₹11.25 crore.

This decision came after MI had released Kishan prior to the auction, which left his return to the team uncertain.

Reasons for Not Using RTM on Ishan Kishan

No RTM Option: Mumbai Indians went on to retain Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Tilak Varma. This means MI has no RTMs left for a capped player. They however have 1 RTM left which they can use it on an uncapped player.

Strategic Release: MI had previously released Kishan, indicating a strategic decision to reshape their squad. The release suggests that they may have been looking to invest in other areas or players that fit better with their current strategy and team composition.

Budget Constraints: MI entered the auction with a budget of ₹45 crore and had already made several key acquisitions. They may have opted to allocate their remaining funds towards filling other critical gaps in their squad rather than re-signing Kishan, who had a significant price tag attached to him.

Performance Considerations: While Kishan has been a valuable player for MI in past seasons, his recent performances may have influenced the team's decision. The franchise might have assessed that investing in other players could yield better returns based on their current needs and performance metrics.

In the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, Ishan Kishan was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for ₹11.25 crore. The auction took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24, 2024. Kishan had previously played for Mumbai Indians before being released into the auction pool, where he attracted significant interest from SRH, leading to his successful bid.