It had been a long, trying year for Rohit Sharma. The 2024 IPL season had brought nothing but uncertainty, and the captaincy fiasco had him questioning a lot. Add to that the constant booing from the crowd, and it felt like everything was crumbling. The fans' discontentment weighed heavy, and rumors spread like wildfire that this might be the end of his time with Mumbai Indians. The atmosphere around him felt thick with tension, and even the players seemed unsure, quietly bracing themselves for the worst.
Rohit had always been their anchor. But this time, they didn't know what to expect.
Jassi, Surya, Tilak, and Hardik were all gathered in the MI dressing room after the 2024 IPL season, each of them trying to come to terms with the idea that their leader might no longer be around.
"Is this it, bhai?" Surya asked, voice soft but filled with concern as he looked at Rohit.
Rohit gave a tired smile, but the usual confidence in his eyes was gone. "I don't know, Surya. I really don't."
Hardik stood a little farther away, avoiding eye contact. He was the one who had been especially affected by the drama surrounding Rohit. It wasn't just the team's struggles; it was the feeling that he might have contributed to this. The booing. The gossip. The pressure of being a captain and failing. He couldn't shake the guilt. The thought that maybe he had let Rohit down, and now, their bhaiya was going to leave.
But Rohit, in his quiet way, had reassured them all. There was no need for any of them to carry the burden. "Don't stress about it, guys. Whatever happens, we'll face it together," he'd said many times.
Still, that didn't stop Hardik from feeling like he was the reason Rohit might walk away from the game. The thought of that hurt him more than anything.
Retention Day, 2025:
The day had finally come. The retention lists for the 2025 IPL season were being revealed, and the tension in the room was palpable. Rohit's name had been all but erased from the minds of many — fans, players, everyone. It was hard to imagine MI without him, but the signs all pointed to it.
As the first few names came up on the screen, the room fell silent.
Then, the fourth retention appeared: Rohit Sharma.
For a moment, no one moved. They blinked, stared, and then, in a flash, the room erupted.
Jassi, Surya, and Tilak jumped up, hooting and clapping. "Bhaiya's staying! Rohit Bhaiya's staying!" they cheered, their faces lit with disbelief and joy.
Hardik, on the other hand, stood frozen, staring at the screen. His heart was pounding in his chest. He had been holding his breath, expecting the worst. But this... this was a surprise. He didn't know what to feel at first. Relieved? Shocked? Guilty?
Rohit, ever the calm one, couldn't suppress a grin. He looked over at his teammates, at the ones who had stuck by him through thick and thin, and his heart warmed. "Told you guys," he said, walking over to them.
"Bhaiya, you're here to stay!" Tilak exclaimed, pulling him into a tight hug.
Rohit ruffled his hair. "Of course. I'm not going anywhere. You think I'm leaving my Mumbai? Not happening."
Hardik finally stepped forward, his expression unreadable. But his eyes told a different story — the weight of his guilt, his fear of losing Rohit, now lifting off his shoulders. He hesitated for a moment, then pulled Rohit into a bear hug, his voice hoarse. "I'm sorry, bhai. I thought... I thought I messed things up."
Rohit chuckled softly, pulling back to look Hardik in the eyes. "Hey, don't ever think that. You didn't mess up anything. We all went through a tough time, but it's just a phase, Harry. We stick together. Always."
The room was filled with a warm, infectious laughter. Jassi slapped Hardik on the back. "He's right, Harry. You think we'd let you off that easy?"
Surya threw his arm around Rohit. "We're happy, bhai. Fans or no fans, you're our leader. Forever."
Rohit looked at each of them, his heart full of gratitude. It had been a tough road, but in that moment, he realized something — he had his family. His MI family. And nothing could ever break that bond.
As they gathered around to celebrate, Hardik looked at the screen one last time, seeing Rohit's name flashing across it, solidifying his place for another season. He couldn't help but smile, the burden that had been on his shoulders now gone. Rohit wasn't leaving. And neither was their bond.
"To the next season, guys," Rohit said, raising a toast.
"To Mumbai," Surya added.
"To Bhaiya!" Jassi cheered.
And with that, the room filled with laughter, the noise of celebration, and the unmistakable feeling of home. Rohit, his teammates, and his family — they were all in this together, for the long haul.
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The MI boys are back...though I will miss others but still a great retention!!
