Could 2024 well be Rohit Sharma's final IPL season for Mumbai Indians?

The IPL 2024 could well be Rohit Sharmas last as a player in the Mumbai Indians jersey after the popular franchise announced Hardik Pandya as its skipper on FridayFor Rohit it has always been about fierce loyalty having captained Mumbai in 11 editions and leading them to five trophiesIn 2025 there will be mega auctions and it is now more than clear that Rohit is no longer in Mumbai Indians scheme of things going forward The IPL Governing Council will allow retention of four players 3 Indians and 1 overseasBy common logic the three Indians retained by MI in all likelihood would be Hardik Pandya Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah in the IPL 2024 One slot belongs to a foreign recruitHowever what happens if Rohit has a great IPL this year and subsequently a satisfying T20 World Cup where he cant be ruled out leading the national teamInteresting times are ahead as Hardik himself having led India in most T20s post 2022 T20 World Cup would like to continue leading the national team in the shortest formatAlso ReadSlow and steady finishes the raceRohit has many times said that he would never play for any other franchise save MI but will he change his mind as there is one IPL franchise from northern India that could well offer him a blank cheque just to be the mentorcumcaptain of the sideIn a ruthless world of franchise cricket the absence of a quote from one of the greatest IPL captains in a banal media statement issued by Mumbai Indians was striking Though the global head of coaching Mahela Jayawardene did thank Rohit for his contributionOnly 48 hours ago Rohit had spoken about the motivation to take one more shot at ultimate global prize on his instagram pageFor someone who poured his heart out for his fans the Indian skipper could have well spelt out his IPL future plansAlso ReadYoung guns harbour big hopesThe last three IPL seasons havent gone MIs way as Hardik wasnt fully fit in 2021 Jasprit Bumrah dealt with a back injury and also a big investment in Jofra Archer never really paid offAll these things did affect MIs performance and also Rohits stats as MI skipperBut unless Rohit spells it out explicitly it would be very difficult to gauge what kind of communication franchise has had with one of its inhouse legendsHardik taking on mantle of captaincy will also free up Rohit the batter who would now just be the Hit Man and if he retains the motivation who knows one might see him playing another season albeit in a different jerseyWith agency inputs