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Multiple rumours are floating around about big names getting released by their respective franchises ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction. While the auction is set to take place on December 15, all ten franchises will have to submit their final list of retained and released players by the retention deadline on November 15.
Ahead of the retention deadline, former India batter and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend Suresh Raina shared his take on whether the Mumbai Indians (MI) should consider releasing Rohit Sharma. There were reports about MI planning to release Rohit ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction last year.
However, their former captain was retained by the five-time champions for a huge sum of Rs 16.30 crore. Rohit enjoyed a decent season for MI with 418 runs in 15 matches at an average of 29.86 and a strike rate close to 150. However, he played mostly as an impact player under Hardik Pandya's captaincy.
Raina believes Mumbai Indians should keep hold of Rohit for what he has achieved for the franchise. One of the most successful captains in IPL history, Rohit led MI to their maiden IPL title in 2013 and won four more trophies till 2020. He was removed from captaincy ahead of IPL 2024 after MI roped in Hardik from Gujarat Titans to replace him as captain.
"They should hold him (Rohit Sharma); he has won a lot of trophies for them," Raina said on Star Sports when asked if the Mumbai Indians should retain or release Rohit.
Rohit is the only captain, alongside MS Dhoni, to have won five IPL titles as captain. Despite having stepped down from captaincy, he remains a part of the leadership group at MI and is expected to continue playing for the franchise in IPL 2026, having worked hard on his fitness.
Raina was also asked if the Mumbai Indians should consider releasing Trent Boult, who was bought for a whopping Rs 12.50 crore by the franchise at the mega auction last year. It was the highest price ever fetched by the left-arm pacer at an IPL auction. The New Zealand quick repaid the trust shown by the franchise with a stellar campaign.
He picked up 22 wickets in 16 matches to play a key role in helping the Mumbai Indians qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2025. Raina said the Mumbai Indians should not release the experienced pacer as left-arm speedsters are a rare commodity, and they might not find an ideal replacement for him at the auction.
"They should retain him (Trent Boult); he is a gun player. The advantage that he has as a left-arm bowler is something you don’t get easily," said Raina.
