With the IPL 2025 mega auction approaching, the Mumbai Indians (MI) face a pivotal moment in their franchise history. A significant decision looms regarding the retention of players, particularly focusing on Hardik Pandya, who took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma in IPL 2024. This transition has sparked discussions and debates about Pandya’s performance and value as MI navigates through a challenging season.

Tom Moody’s take on Hardik Pandya’s retention

As the buzz intensifies around MI potentially retaining Rohit, former Australian cricketer Tom Moody has voiced concerns about Pandya’s hefty retention price as the first choice player. Moody, speaking on ESPNcricinfo, emphasized that the franchise must critically evaluate Pandya’s recent form and fitness before making a decision. He noted that for a player to command such a high price, consistent match-winning performances are essential.

Moody stated, “The way things panned out in the last edition of the IPL, Hardik would be a little disillusioned with what happened over the last 6-12 months.”

He suggested that while players like Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav could justify an ₹18 crore tag, Pandya’s current performance might not meet that standard.

“If you’ve got to be an ₹18 crore player, you’ve got to be a genuine match-winner and do it regularly,” he added, highlighting Pandya’s struggles with fitness and performance throughout the season.

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Pandya’s performance in IPL 2024

Pandya’s return to MI from Gujarat Titans was marked by high expectations, especially after leading Gujarat to success in their debut season. However, his captaincy in IPL 2024 has been far from stellar. Under his leadership, MI finished at the bottom of the table with only four wins out of fourteen matches. His individual statistics further underline his struggles, he maintained an economy rate exceeding 10 and averaged just 18 with the bat across 12 innings.

Reflecting on this disappointing season, Pandya admitted that it “cost us the whole season.” His admission underscores the weight of expectations placed upon him as captain and player. Despite these challenges, he emphasized his approach to leadership as one focused on building confidence among his teammates rather than solely fixating on results.

The Rohit Sharma factor

The transition from Rohit to Pandya as captain has not been without its controversies. Reports suggest that Indian captain is unhappy with Pandya’s leadership style and decisions throughout the season. This rift could complicate MI’s retention strategy further as they weigh the implications of keeping both players under contract.

The dynamics between Rohit and Pandya have been scrutinized closely by fans and analysts alike. With Rohit being a pivotal figure in MI’s history—leading them to five IPL titles—the decision to replace him has raised eyebrows and led to speculation about team morale and cohesion.

The future of Mumbai Indians ahead

As MI prepares for the mega auction, they must carefully consider their retention list. The decisions made will not only impact their immediate future but also shape their long-term strategy in the IPL landscape. Retaining key players like Rohit could provide stability and experience, while evaluating Pandya’s worth based on recent performances might lead to significant changes within the squad.

MI stands at a crossroads as they navigate through a tumultuous season under Pandya’s captaincy. With critical decisions looming ahead of IPL 2025, how they handle these retention dilemmas could define their path forward in one of cricket’s most competitive leagues.

Also READ: Here’s why Rohit Sharma should be retained by Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction