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The article revolves around the possibility of Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma moving from Mumbai Indians (MI) to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. This hypothetical move has sparked much discussion and speculation among fans and pundits alike, with legendary South African batsman AB de Villiers offering his insights on the matter.
De Villiers, known for his explosive batting and his experience in the IPL, expressed his astonishment at the potential transfer, stating that it would be a monumental event in the history of the tournament. He highlighted the significance of the move, suggesting that it would eclipse even the controversial return of Hardik Pandya to MI from Gujarat Titans last year. Pandya's move was met with mixed reactions, with many fans feeling betrayed by his departure from MI, the team where he had established himself as a key player.
De Villiers, however, believes that the chances of Rohit leaving MI are extremely slim. Despite the team's underwhelming performance in the previous season, he highlighted Rohit's long-standing association with MI and his contributions to their success over the years. He pointed out that Rohit is a valuable asset to the franchise, having led them to five IPL titles and being one of the most consistent performers in the tournament's history. He acknowledged that the team's recent struggles might be a concern, but he remains confident that MI would retain Rohit for the upcoming season.
Beyond the speculation surrounding Rohit's future, the article also delves into the new rules and regulations announced by the IPL for the 2025-2027 cycle. These changes pertain to player retention, auction format, and salary caps. The article notes that each franchise can retain a maximum of six players, with a combination of capped and uncapped players. The auction purse for each franchise has been set at INR 120 crore, with incremental performance pay and match fees added to the total salary cap. Notably, a match fee of INR 7.5 lakhs per match has been introduced for the first time in the history of IPL, payable in addition to the contracted amount.
The article further highlights the implications of these changes for overseas players, requiring them to register for the auction to be eligible for the following year's event. Additionally, players who withdraw from the tournament after being selected are subject to a two-season ban from participation. Finally, the article clarifies the criteria for an Indian player to be categorized as an uncapped player, which includes not playing in the starting XI of international cricket or lacking a central contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the preceding five years.
In conclusion, the article explores the potential transfer of Rohit Sharma from MI to RCB, highlighting the magnitude of this event and emphasizing the unlikely nature of this move. It also provides an overview of the new IPL rules and regulations for the next three seasons, covering player retention, auction format, salary caps, and eligibility criteria for overseas players.