"It will be bigger than Hardik Pandya’s move" - AB de Villiers reacts to possibility of Rohit Sharma joining RCB for IPL 2025
South African legend AB de Villiers reckons that if Rohit Sharma moves from Mumbai Indians (MI) to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the IPL 2025 season, it will be a bigger development than Hardik Pandya's return to MI. If Rohit plays for the Bengaluru franchise in the upcoming season, there could be a possibility of him opening with Virat Kohli.
Rohit has been part of the Mumbai Indians franchise since 2011. Under his leadership, MI became the most successful IPL franchise, winning the trophy five times. The feat was matched by MS Dhoni when he led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to their fifth IPL title triumph in the 2023 season.
A major controversy, however, erupted when Rohit was sacked as MI captain ahead of the IPL 2024 edition and was replaced by all-rounder Pandya, who was traded to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans (GT). Several reports have claimed that Rohit is unlikely to stay with MI for the upcoming season. A few experts have also backed him to play for RCB in IPL 2025.
Reacting to the same, De Villiers said that if such a move takes place it would be huge. During a Q & A session on YouTube, he said: (as quoted by News 18):
“I almost laughed at the Rohit comment. That will be quite a story if Rohit moves from Mumbai Indians to RCB. Wow! Imagine the headlines. It will be bigger than Hardik Pandya’s move. He moved from the Gujarat Titans back to Mumbai, which although wasn’t a big surprise. But if Rohit moves from Mumbai to join his rivals in RCB…oh my god!”
The former South African captain reckons that despite all the controversy, Rohit is likely to be retained by the Mumbai Indians franchise. The 40-year-old commented:
“I don’t think there is an option there. I don’t see a possibility of MI leaving Rohit. I will give that zero or 0.1 percent chance."
Led by Pandya in IPL 2024, Mumbai Indians had a disastrous run. They finished last in the 10-team competition, winning four and losing 10 of their 14 matches.
Rohit Sharma's record as batter and captain for MI
Rohit (37) is the leading run-getter for the Mumbai Indians franchise. In 221 matches, he has amassed 5,731 runs at an average of 29.69 and a strike rate of 131.05, with two hundreds to go with 36 half-centuries.
As captain, he has led the Mumbai franchise in 158 matches, winning 87 and losing 67. He has a win percentage of 55.06 as Mumbai Indians captain. Under him, the team won the IPL in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020.