IPL 2014: Mumbai Indians retain Rohit, Harbhajan, Rayudu, Pollard and Malinga

Rohit Sharma

Reigning IPL and CLT20 champions Mumbai Indians have retained 5 players ahead of the 2014 IPL auctions. The Mumbai outfit have decided to retain Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Ambati Rayudu, Kieron Pollard and Lasith Malinga.

Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, Mumbai Indians won the IPL and CLT20 double last season & it looks like they will be a force to reckon with this season as well with the retention of 5 top class players.

Captain Rohit Sharma and West Indian Kieron Pollard were always going to be retained by the team but Mumbai Indians were reportedly in a conundrum over whether or not to retain both Mitchell Johnson, who was in red-hot form for Australia or Sri Lankan limited overs specialist Lasith Malinga. There was also some debate over which Indian players the side would retain.

This will be the first season of the IPL for Mumbai Indians without Sachin Tendulkar.

Mumbai Indians co-owner Mrs. Nita Ambani said, “The formidable combination of these five players – Rohit, Pollard, Malinga, Bhajji and Rayudu – forms the nucleus of Mumbai Indians. They have exemplified the spirit of Mumbai Indians and are match-winners in their own right. With the retention of the core players, Mumbai Indians look forward to build a stronger, well-knit team and share the joy of an enthralling and entertaining performance with its ever-growing fans in the coming season.”

After retaining 5 players, the defending champions have one “rights to match” card available to them in the auction which they are likely to use on either Mitchell Johnson or Dinesh Karthik.