• Source:JND
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Sanjay Bangar, Punjab Kings' Head of Cricket Development, predicted a bidding frenzy for Rohit Sharma if he's released by Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, with the India captain expected to fetch a hefty price.

While Bangar acknowledged the possibility, he didn't commit to whether Punjab Kings would join the bidding war for Rohit's services.

Bangar emphasized that the retention rules for the 2025 IPL mega auction will play a crucial role in determining the fate of players like Rohit Sharma. However, if Rohit is made available for auction, Bangar believes he will be a highly coveted player.

This comes after a tumultuous IPL 2024 season for Mumbai Indians, where Rohit was replaced as captain by Hardik Pandya, leading to reported dressing room unrest and fan discontent. The team's poor performance under Hardik's leadership, finishing last with only four wins, further fueled speculation about Rohit's future with the franchise.

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"We will have to wait and watch (will Rohit head to the auction?). I played with Rohit at one point for the Deccan Chargers. From there, he has been a Mumbai boy. Yes, there was a change in direction as far as Mumbai Indians are concerned. But, it all depends on the retentions, because that is a topic which is under consideration. Once there is clarity on the retentions, then we get to know the number of players. We need to know the players that are released by the teams. Only then we will know who will come into the auctions and which is the team that will run after a particular player," Sanjay Bangar told The Rao Podcast.

However, neither Mumbai Indians nor Rohit Sharma has publicly addressed a potential split, it's uncertain whether the T20 World Cup-winning captain will choose to remain with the franchise following the tumultuous events of 2023.

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"It all depends on whether we have the money in our pocket. Because if Rohit comes into the auction, I certainly believe he is going to go for a very high price," Bangar said.

Rohit shared a long and successful association with Mumbai Indians, playing a pivotal role in transforming the team into a dominant force in the IPL. Under his leadership, MI has clinched five championships between 2013 and 2020, cementing his legacy as a key figure in the franchise's history.