"I feel you can use the RTM for Hardik Pandya" - Ajay Jadeja on Mumbai Indians' potential retentions ahead of IPL 2025 auction

Ajay Jadeja reckons the Mumbai Indians (MI) can release Hardik Pandya ahead of the IPL 2025 auction and reacquire him through the RTM (Right To Match) card. He believes Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah might be better retention options for the Mumbai-based franchise.

MI traded in Hardik from the Gujarat Titans (GT) ahead of IPL 2024 and subsequently made him their captain, replacing Rohit. The move did not yield the desired results, with the five-time champions finishing last this season.

During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Jadeja opined that Rohit, Suryakumar and Bumrah should be MI's preferred retention options, with Hardik being bought back through the RTM.

"There is a thought because it's easier for us to come up with thoughts than those who are managing the team. I would say Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, these are three players you won't be able to get at all, if you want them. Every other team will need them. These are three such players," he reasoned.

"Then Tilak Varma is one. I feel you can use the RTM for Hardik Pandya. The level of player Hardik Pandya is, you won't get him but because of injury concerns, like he is no longer the Indian team's captain, so probably the other teams might not value him that much. However, you won't get Bumrah even for 70-75 crores," the former India captain added.

Hardik aggregated 216 runs at an underwhelming average of 18.00 in 13 innings in IPL 2024. The seam-bowling all-rounder picked up 11 wickets in 12 innings but conceded an average of 10.75 runs per over.

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"At times, you leave to make your team better, even if you are the captain" - Ajay Jadeja on Hardik Pandya

In the same discussion, Ajay Jadeja noted that Hardik Pandya might himself opt to be reacquired through the RTM card to benefit the team.

"At times, you leave to make your team better, even if you are the captain. If you decide, you will always get the player if the RTM is there. But Jasprit Bumrah's price, and the others' price, they won't come in your hands. It's auction dynamics. I am not saying that a player's value is less or more," he said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator opined that Ishan Kishan will also be expensive at the auction and added that players who aren't happy with their retention price should be reacquired through the RTM card.

"So that is a thought there. You won't get Ishan Kishan, a wicketkeeper-batter, that cheap. I am talking about the 18 crores and 14 crores because all of them are equal-level players. So whoever is retained for less will get angry. Whoever is angry, let him go, and get him back through RTM. Don't try to forcefully retain someone who is angry," Jadeja stated.

It remains to be seen whether the Mumbai Indians retain Hardik as their skipper for IPL 2025. The franchise might look to give the captaincy to Suryakumar Yadav, considering he is already India's T20I skipper.