Not Rohit Sharma, Mumbai Indians likely to retain these players ahead of IPL Auction | IPL retention

IPL 2025 may be about 6 months away but the mega auction later this year already promises to be a blockbuster. With the IPL Governing Council allowing franchises to retain a maximum of 6 players using retentions and Right to Match options, here are the possible players Mumbai Indians are likely to retain.
After MI traded Hardik Pandya and made him their new captain ahead of the last edition, there were reports that the decision left Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah unhappy. Since both were a part of the franchise for a long time and had captained Team India in the shortest format respectively, the move irked them. However, the 5-time IPL champions have convinced both Sky and Boom Boom to stay.
In all likelihood, MI's 1st retention could be Bumrah for ₹18 crore. The pacer has been influential in the franchise's success over the years and is a no-brainer when it comes to retentions.
Surya will likely be their 2nd retention for ₹14 crore. He is the top-ranked Indian batter in the shortest format of the game and is now also Team India's full-time T20I skipper.
Mumbai Indians' 3rd retention could be Tilak Varma for ₹11 crore. The 21-year-old youngster made his IPL debut for the franchise in 2022, and in the last 3 seasons, he has scored 1156 runs in 38 matches for Mumbai. With age by his side, he can serve the franchise for many years.
MI is likely to make Hardik Pandya their 4th retention for ₹18 crore. By doing this, Mumbai would give their captain the maximum retention amount and would place Hardik at par with Bumrah.
Mumbai Indians might not use the ₹14 crore retention slot. They could have retained Ishan Kishan but MI had bought him for ₹15.25 crore and retaining the wicketkeeper-batter for 14 could have been a win-win for them. But the franchise may as well use the Right to Match option in the auction and get him back for a lesser price.
Akash Madhwal may be the uncapped player MI might put their trust in. The pacer didn't get many games in the previous season under Hardik but in the 2023 edition, he bagged 14 wickets in 8 matches including figures of 5/5 vs LSG. Retaining him for ₹crore won't be a bad option.
But wait, what about Rohit Sharma? Multiple reports suggest that the franchise might let go of the former skipper. Rohit is anyway 37 years old and retaining him for the next 3 years might not be on MI's radar. Moreover, even if Mumbai decide to retain him, they can't give him under ₹18 crore. Since Hardik has to be retained for the same amount, Surya, who is the India T20I captain, will have to settle for less. After a controversial season last time, Mumbai can't afford to take that risk with Sky.