IPL 2025 Retained Players Best List for Mumbai Indians (MI)

Rohit Sharma’s position, a question mark in our predicted retained players list for Mumbai Indians (MI) for IPL 2025.  

One of the biggest beneficiaries of the recently announced IPL 2025 retention rules has got to be the most successful franchise in the history of the Indian Premier League, the Mumbai Indians. For the first time ever, the BCCI introduced a rule where there are no restrictions on the retention or RTM of Indian or Overseas players. This means, teams are free to choose up to six players via Retention or RTM from the Indian or Overseas category.

This is a great news for all the teams, and especially Mumbai Indians who can now use their trump card to retain six players in their side. What’s more, of all the sides in the tournament, Mumbai Indians must be the only franchise that might retain six players ahead of the Auction, and all those players can be Indians.  But why do the Mumbai Indians benefit the most from the retention rule, and why will they be the only side to retain 6 players?

Well, if we look at the retention rules, a team will have to spend 75 Cr to retain a total of 5 capped players with bifurcation being 18 Cr for the first player, 14 Cr for the second player, 11 Cr for the third player, 18 Cr for the fourth player, and 14 Cr for the fifth capped player. Of all the teams, only Mumbai Indians have such quality players, for whom spending 75 Cr on five capped players wouldn’t be an issue. Plus, MI also have a solid uncapped player whom MI will retain for 4 Cr. 

MI Retained Players List for IPL 2025 Analyzed

While there’s definitely a rosy picture for MI, a big challenge for them as to which 6 players they retain ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. Well, Mumbai Indians’ biggest headache will be whether they are able to convince Rohit Sharma to stay with the side for IPL 2025 and onwards. This will be their biggest challenge, and by the looks of it, it doesn’t look like Rohit Sharma will be willing to stay with MI. 

As we know, Rohit Sharma was stripped of the captaincy from MI in 2024 when he was India’s captain in all three formats, and Hardik was merely his deputy. Rohit’s disappointment was clearly visible throughout the tournament, and his decision not to say anything positive about this move also speaks volumes of his denial for the change. With Rohit moving away from MI, he will be able to lead the sides like Punjab Kings SRH, or even RCB. This would actually be a welcome change for Rohit Sharma. 

So, without Rohit, does MI have six players that they can retain for 79 Cr? Well, yes they do have. According to the IPL 2025 retention rules, MI can retain Hardik for 18 Cr as the first player, Suryakumar Yadav for 14 Cr as the second player, Tilak Varma for 11 Cr as the third player, then Jasprit Bumrah for 18 Cr as the fourth player, and finally Ishan Kishan for 14 Cr as the fifth player. This way MI won’t mind spending 75 Cr on these five players. 

Nehal Wadhera vs Akash Madhwal vs Piyush Chawla

Now, Mumbai Indians have three quality options for the uncapped player category: Nehal Wadhera, Akash Madhwal, and Piyush Chawla. All three are good options to have, but MI must be looking to invest in the future, and for that, Nehal Wadhera seems the best bet. Wadhera, an all-rounder primarily has played as a finisher for MI, and has also done well for them. MI won’t mind retaining him as the uncapped player, and for that, they will have to shell out only INR 4 Cr. 

There could also be a scenario where MI retain only four players, i.e., Hardik for 18 Cr, Jasprit Bumrah for 14 Cr, Suryakumar Yadav for 11 Cr, and Nehal Wadhera for 4 Cr. Then they can use the RTM options for Ishan Kishan, Nehal Wadhera, and even Rohit Sharma. While Tilak and Kishan are valued much higher than 26 Cr, Bumrah and SKY may not agree to retain for 14 Cr and 11 Cr respectively. They are also definitely valued higher than this. So, this possibility looks bleak for now. 

Mumbai Indians (MI) Predicted Retained Players List for IPL 2025:

Hardik Pandya (18 Cr), Suryakumar Yadav (14 Cr), Jasprit Bumrah (18 Cr), Ishan Kishan (14 Cr), Tilak Varma (11 Cr) & Nehal Wadhera (4 Cr).

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