Cricket

The Mumbai Indians (MI), a powerhouse in the Indian Premier League (IPL), are gearing up for the 2025 mega auction with a strategic plan and a substantial auction purse. The auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will be a battleground for teams seeking to revamp their squads for the upcoming season.MI, after a disappointing 2024 campaign that saw them finish last in the 10-team league, will enter the auction with Rs 45 crore remaining in their purse. The five-time IPL champions aim to bolster their squad by acquiring key players across various departments. They also possess one strategic Right to Match (RTM) card, allowing them to potentially retain a player by matching the highest bid during the auction.In preparation for the mega auction, MI has retained five key players who form the backbone of their team. These retentions have consumed a significant portion of their total auction budget of Rs 120 crore. The retained players and their respective salaries are as follows:* Jasprit Bumrah: Rs 18 crore* Suryakumar Yadav: Rs 16.35 crore* Hardik Pandya: Rs 16.35 crore* Rohit Sharma: Rs 16.30 crore* Tilak Varma: Rs 8 croreThese retentions have cost MI a total of Rs 75 crore, leaving them with Rs 45 crore to spend at the auction. These players bring a wealth of experience and talent, with Bumrah as the bowling spearhead and Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain, leading their dynamic batting lineup. Notably, Rohit Sharma, who recently retired from T20 Internationals after leading India to a T20 World Cup win, remains a pivotal figure for MI despite stepping down as captain. His leadership duties have been handed over to Hardik Pandya, who returned to MI after a stint as Gujarat Titans' captain.With Rs 45 crore in hand, MI will target crucial areas in their squad. They will aim to rebuild after a poor 2024 season, focusing on reinforcing both their batting depth and bowling attack. The presence of an RTM card gives them added flexibility to bring back a former player who might attract high bids.After five retentions, MI have a minimum of 13 slots and a maximum of 20 slots available to fill. Mumbai Indians will have several important slots to fill during the auction, with a focus likely on securing few world-class overseas talents and uncapped Indian cricketers. Additionally, MI could look to bolster their bowling unit to support Jasprit Bumrah, particularly with spinners and pacers who can adapt to different conditions.Having retained their core group of stars, including their new skipper Hardik Pandya and the explosive Suryakumar Yadav, MI now have the challenge of finding the right balance in the rest of their squad to return to their winning ways in 2025.

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction approaches, teams are strategizing their purchases. Dinesh Karthik, batting coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has predicted that South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee could command a hefty sum.Coetzee, currently part of the South African squad facing India in a T20I series, impressed in the second match. He dismissed opener Abhishek Sharma and contributed 19 runs off nine balls, helping his team secure victory.Karthik believes Coetzee's versatility and impressive performances will spark a bidding war at the auction, scheduled for November 24 and 25. "He's a thinking cricketer who has worked on his batting. He's not just a one-trick pony," Karthik said.Coetzee was acquired by Mumbai Indians (MI) for INR 5 crore in IPL 2024, taking 13 wickets in 10 games. However, he was released ahead of the mega auction.RCB, with the second-highest purse of INR 83 cr, has retained Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) mentor Zaheer Khan also praised Coetzee's batting prowess and dedication to his role.Coetzee's performances in the ongoing T20I series have further enhanced his reputation. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset for any IPL franchise.Teams will be eager to secure Coetzee's services at the mega auction, and it remains to be seen how high the bidding will go for the talented South African all-rounder.

Mumbai Indians (MI), the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, face a crucial challenge in the upcoming mega auction with a limited budget of Rs 45 crore. Despite retaining their core Indian stars, MI must fill their squad strategically.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra predicts that MI will target an Indian spinner, particularly Yuzvendra Chahal. Chahal, the highest wicket-taker in IPL history, was surprisingly released by Rajasthan Royals. His consistent performance, with 18 or more wickets in the last six IPL seasons, makes him a valuable asset.Another potential target for MI is Washington Sundar, who was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sundar's impressive performances in T20Is and Test cricket for Team India could fetch him a high price in the auction.Chopra also suggests that MI may bid for Ishan Kishan, but his high price tag may be prohibitive. Instead, he recommends alternatives such as Quinton de Kock, Jitesh Sharma, or Phil Salt for the wicket-keeper batter role.MI's strategy will likely involve building an Indian batting lineup and an overseas bowling lineup, with a couple of Indian spinners. The IPL mega auction will be held in Jeddah on November 24 and 25, and MI's ability to fill their squad effectively with their limited budget will be crucial to their success in IPL 2025.

Jasprit Bumrah Retained by Mumbai Indians as Top Pick for IPL 2025Amidst the flurry of player retentions ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has emerged as the top retention pick for five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI). The ace speedster, who has been retained for a whopping Rs 18 crore, expressed his delight at continuing his journey with the franchise for another three years."It feels good. I came here as a 19-year-old teenager. Now I'm going to turn 31 and have a son, so it's been a complete journey. I'm happy that the journey is continuing and no better feeling," said Bumrah in a video released by the franchise on Thursday.Bumrah, who has been an integral part of MI's success over the years, reflected on his growth within the team. "When I came, all the legends of the game were here, and I used to ask a lot of questions. So now, slowly the role is changing, and a lot of youngsters are coming into our team who are eight-nine years younger than me," he said."So, I always feel happy to help, because I got a lot of help when I started. So, always willing to help, and always trying my best to contribute in whatever way I can, and whenever I can," he added.MI had a disappointing IPL 2024 campaign, finishing at the bottom of the league under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, who replaced Rohit Sharma as the captain after being traded in from Gujarat Titans. However, Bumrah remains optimistic about the team's future."We have been successful in the past, and we know how to win championships. So, instead of looking at championships now, look at yourself, rectify the mistakes, and try to take on the positives. So that is what has always worked for us, and I think that is something that we will focus on, and hopefully with a positive stride, we'll get good results," he said.Bumrah also spoke about the special atmosphere at Wankhede Stadium, MI's home ground. "It feels good whenever the crowd is behind you, that experience of playing in Wankhede is always great. That energy, and vibe is a sight to see if you've never experienced it before. It's an interesting atmosphere to experience, as you'll not get that in most places," he said.The ace fast-bowler, who was named Player of the Tournament in India's triumph at the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup, has taken 165 wickets for MI in 133 games since 2013. He is currently their second-highest wicket-taker after Lasith Malinga, who is now the bowling coach.Bumrah concluded by emphasizing the importance of a winning mentality. "The winning mentality is always there, because you're playing the sport to win. If you are just there to participate, it doesn't really land up well, according to me. So for me, I have a lot of belief in my ability, and that's always been the case since the time I was a child," he said."I didn't want to be just any cricketer, I wanted to contribute more and do special things. So I don't look at my overs as gold, I look at them as a responsibility. So you have to accept good with the bad, and whenever you win, you accept and start from zero. Whenever you lose, you start from zero, that's the beauty of this sport," he added.

Mumbai Indians (MI), the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, have retained their core group of Indian players ahead of the 2025 season. The franchise secured the services of Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Tilak Varma.Bumrah, the star pacer, emerged as the highest-paid player with a salary of Rs 18 crore. Skipper Pandya, who led MI to a disappointing last-place finish in IPL 2024, will earn Rs 16.35 crore. Suryakumar Yadav, the prolific batter, will also receive Rs 16.35 crore. Rohit Sharma, the former captain, will earn Rs 16.30 crore, while young all-rounder Tilak Varma will receive Rs 8 crore.The retention process involved extensive discussions within the MI management. According to sources, Rohit Sharma played a key role in determining the salaries of his teammates. He reportedly suggested that Bumrah, Pandya, and Suryakumar should be paid more than him, as they are still active members of the Indian T20I team.All three batters agreed that Bumrah deserved the highest salary among the retained players. Sources attributed this decision to the respect and importance Bumrah holds within the team.Another topic of debate within MI was the captaincy. Pandya's performance as captain in IPL 2024 drew criticism, and some members of the management considered a change. However, the franchise ultimately decided against it, believing that three captains in three years would be detrimental to the team's stability.

Hardik Pandya's leadership of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been extended for the 2025 season, despite the team's dismal performance under his guidance in 2024.Pandya's reappointment was met with mixed reactions. Some fans and experts believe that he deserves another chance to prove himself as a captain, while others question his ability to lead a team to success.Pandya himself expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue leading MI. "I have received a lot of love back, (it) means the world to me. My journey started here and you know everything that I have achieved in my life has been part of Mumbai Indians," he said.Referring to MI's five retained players, including himself, Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, Pandya stated, "We are five fingers but one fist, that's how I look at it."However, the question remains whether Pandya can transform the five fingers into a cohesive unit on the field. In IPL 2024, MI finished at the bottom of the table, appearing disjointed and lacking direction.The upcoming season will be a crucial test for Pandya's leadership skills. With Rohit Sharma, India's Test and ODI captain, Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain, and Jasprit Bumrah, India's Test vice-captain, in the team, Pandya will need to find a way to manage their egos and create a harmonious environment.MI owner Akash Ambani expressed confidence in his team's abilities. "We have always believed that the strength of a family lies in its core and this belief has been reinforced during the course of recent events," Ambani said."...This unified effort reinstates MI's commitment to building strong trust and ownership amongst our core group, our fans, and other stakeholders. We will strive to continue playing the passionate brand of cricket everyone expects from us."

Mumbai Indians (MI), the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, are gearing up for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction by retaining their core group of Indian players. The franchise has decided to retain Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma.With these five capped players retained, MI will have limited options at the auction. They can only use their one right-to-match option on an uncapped player. The individual amounts for each retained player are yet to be disclosed, but MI is expected to lose at least INR 75 crore from their purse of INR 120 crore.MI had a disappointing IPL 2024 season, finishing at the bottom of the league under the leadership of Hardik Pandya. However, Hardik bounced back from poor personal form with significant contributions during India's successful 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. Despite his strong performance, Suryakumar Yadav was preferred as India's T20I captain after Rohit Sharma retired from the format.The MI management recently held discussions with their senior players to finalize the retention plan. The deadline for franchises to submit their lists of retained players is October 31. Teams are allowed to retain up to six players ahead of the mega auction, with a maximum of five capped internationals and two uncapped players.The IPL has set minimum deductions from the auction purse for each player retained, but franchises are free to pay more or less than those amounts. MI is expected to pay a significant amount to retain their star players, which will impact their spending at the auction.

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction approaching, the focus intensifies on the retention strategies of the participating teams. Among the most anticipated decisions are those of Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), two franchises with immense fan followings.According to reports, CSK has finalized its five retentions: MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Matheesha Pathirana. This move signals the departure of star players like Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway. The retentions are estimated to cost CSK around Rs 65 crore from a total purse of Rs 120 crore.Meanwhile, speculation runs rampant regarding the retention plans of other teams. Former Indian captain MS Dhoni, who has led CSK to five IPL titles, has confirmed his participation in IPL 2025. He is expected to be retained for a mere Rs 4 crores due to a BCCI rule that classifies Indian players as "uncapped" if they have not played for the national team in the past five years.The IPL auction is known for its unpredictable nature, and Dhoni himself has acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the process. "Everyone is a team owner now," he quipped at a recent event. "We should be prepared for whatever players they decide to purchase."As the October 31 deadline for releasing retention lists approaches, the IPL community eagerly awaits the official announcements. The mega auction promises to reshape the landscape of the league, with several big names likely to be released and new stars emerging.

Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar is set to enter the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction pool, scheduled for next month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sundar, who impressed with 11 wickets in the second Test against New Zealand, is unlikely to be retained by his current franchise, SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH).According to reports, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Gujarat Titans have expressed interest in acquiring Sundar's services. The all-rounder is keen on entering the auction, where he could potentially command a significant sum.While SRH has the option to retain Sundar using the Right to Match (RTM) card, they are reportedly considering retaining only three players ahead of the mega auction. Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, and Abhishek Sharma are expected to be the retained players.Interestingly, Cummins, who captained SRH in 2024, will reportedly receive a pay cut of INR 2 crore, despite leading the team to the finals last season. SRH is expected to finalize the retentions of Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy soon.The IPL has set October 31 as the deadline for retentions. If SRH finalizes five retentions, they will have one RTM card available at the auction, which can only be used for an uncapped Indian player.Sundar's impressive performances in recent matches have made him a valuable asset for any IPL franchise. His all-round abilities, including his effective spin bowling and solid batting, make him a versatile player who can contribute in multiple ways.The upcoming IPL auction promises to be an exciting event, with several top players set to go under the hammer. Sundar's availability will undoubtedly attract the attention of multiple franchises, and he is likely to fetch a substantial contract.