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Former Mumbai Indians (MI) left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha reckons Rohit Sharma should continue playing for the franchise in the IPL. Terming the ace batter an integral part of MI, Ojha added that it will be difficult for both the franchise and the player if they decide to part ways.
Rohit has been a stalwart for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Under his leadership, the franchise won five titles. However, things took a drastic turn when the MI franchise sacked him as captain ahead of the IPL 2024 season and named all-rounder Hardik Pandya the new leader.
While Rohit played under Pandya in IPL 2024, numerous reports have claimed that the former skipper is all set to leave the Mumbai franchise. His former teammate Ojha, though, feels that the batting star must continue representing Mumbai Indians. In an interview with Insidesport, he said:
“It won’t be easy if that happens (Rohit leaving Mumbai Indians). Personally, I would say that Rohit should continue to play for Mumbai Indians because of the contribution that he’s made. And he has grown as a captain, as a player. The stature that he is in today, is somewhere connected to Mumbai Indians."
"So I would say that if he stays there – well and good. But if he moves on, that’s how it is. Because this is a franchise tournament and sometimes these things happen," Ojha went on to add.
The former India left-arm spinner represented Mumbai Indians from 2012 to 2015 and was part of two title triumphs under Rohit's leadership.
"I feel Rohit will probably be released" - Aakash Chopra
Earlier, another former India cricketer Aakash Chopra opined that Rohit's association with the Mumbai Indians franchise might end ahead of the 2025 IPL season.
According to Chopra, Rohit might leave the franchise or MI might release him. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former India opener responded to a fan query and commented:
“Anything can happen but I don't think Rohit is going to be retained here. I don't have any information but I feel Rohit will probably be released. He might go to someone in the trade window, that's a possibility that he doesn't go to the auction, but if that doesn't happen, he might be seen in the auction. I feel his journey with the Mumbai Indians is over”
Rohit has featured in 221 matches for MI and has scored 5731 runs at an average of 29.69 and a strike rate of 131.05, with two hundreds and 36 half-centuries.
