Among the many talking points in the run up to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 mega auction later this year, former Indian coach Sanjay Bangar has stated that Rohit Sharma will be the highlight of the event.
It is going to be interesting to see if Mumbai Indians (MI) opt to retain their former skipper ahead of the upcoming auction, given the report that the teams may be allowed to retain up to six players.
With quality and younger players such as Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, and Jasprit Bumrah in their squad, the MI franchise will have to make some tough decisions regarding the retention of their core set of stars.
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What did Sanjay Bangar say about Rohit Sharma ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction?
Former India batting coach Bangar was speaking on 'The Rao Podcast', a YouTube channel, in a hour-long conversation about all-things cricket.
"Now there are rumours coming out that Rohit Sharma might not be a part of the MI franchise, and that he might look for another team. Is it possible that he might join the Punjab Kings?" the host asked.
Bangar replied talking about his connection with Rohit at the former IPL team Deccan Chargers and saying that we will get a better clarity about Mumbai's plans for the auction, once the number of retentions are confirmed.
"I have played with Rohit during one point at the Deccan Chargers, but he's been a Mumbai boy for a while now. I think that there was a change in direction at the MI franchise, but it all depends, we will get a clarity once the number of retentions are announced," he said.
"After that, once players are retained or released, we will know who has come into the auction and about which is the team that will come after that particular player," he added.
While Bangar, who is currently the head of cricket development at the Punjab franchise, chuckled at the question if there were plans to bring Rohit to the team, he did not rule out the chances.
"It all depends on if we have the money in our pockets. If Rohit Sharma comes in the auction, I certainly believe that he is going to go for a high price"
The Punjab franchise have arguably been the worst performing franchise among the current set of teams, in the history of the IPL, but Bangar was optimistic about the team's future.
"We have got closer to the title in 2014, but I believe that the time is going to come, and once it comes, it will not be the only instance of Punjab Kings winning it," he concluded.
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