Many fans are shocked by the Mumbai Indians' (MI) player retention list ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction because the Mumbai-based team released the wicketkeeper batter, Ishan Kishan. Remarkably, Mumbai kept five players in order to maintain their core group: Tilak Varma (INR 8 Crore), Jasprit Bumrah (INR 18 Crore), Suryakumar Yadav (INR 16.35 Crore), Rohit Sharma (16.30 Crore), and Hardik Pandya (INR 16.35 Crore).
Why did MI pick Tilak Verma over Ishan Kishan?
Tilak was purchased for INR 1.7 crore in 2022, while Ishan was purchased by the franchise for a substantial INR 15.25 crore following a resolute and intense bid during the auction.
Their results over the last three seasons were relatively close, despite a value differential of more than INR 13.5 crore: Ishan amassed 1,192 runs in three seasons (44 innings), whereas Tilak managed 1,156 runs in just six less innings (38). Given that Ishan opens and Tilak primarily bats at No. 5, it is obvious that Tilak performs better in a head-to-head matchup.
The southpaw had a poor season for the team in 2024, managing just one half-century and 320 runs from 14 innings at an average of 22.85 and a strike rate of 148.83.
Since making his debut in 2022, Varma has been one of Mumbai's rising stars. The 21-year-old has amassed 1156 runs at an average of 39.86 and a strike rate of 146.32, including six half-centuries. However, a few of MI supporters have taken issue with Varma's retention over Kishan and criticized the team for their decision. One Right to Match card is still available for MI to use in the auction; it is unclear which player will utilize it.
