With Mumbai Indians' captaincy passing to Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma's future at the franchise is now uncertain. Can Rohit still head elsewhere? The answer lies in how the IPL 2024 Trade Window works
Every season of the Indian Premier League brings along a bunch of new surprises. Months before the 2024 edition kicks off, we have already witnessed what could well be the most high-profile trade in the history of the Indian Premier League - Hardik Pandya traded to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans. (IPL Auction Streaming | Cricket News)
Pandya was eventually named MI captain, and the news left scores of Rohit Sharma fans distraught as the former MI skipper's future with the franchise now becomes uncertain. However, the trading window closed officially on December 12, and the mini-auction is slated be held in Dubai on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.
In such a scenario, can Rohit still leave MI? The answer lies in how the IPL 2024 Trade Window works.
IPL 2024 Trade Window Reopening
A trade in IPL refers to a player moving from one franchise (the one that bought them) to another. It can either be an all-cash deal or a player-for-player exchange.
As per the IPL rules, the window for player-trading begins a month after a particular season ends, and then stays open up to a week before the auction date. It then reopens and continues, up until a month before the commencement of the next season.
Hence, the IPL 2024 trade window was closed on December 12 as the auction is scheduled for December 19. But it will open again on December 20, for up to a month before the 2024 season begins. That means the window is likely to remain open till February 2024. This gives franchises ample opportunities to try to poach Rohit, if he and MI are so inclined.