"Hello, Skipper": Mitchell Santner's Address To Rohit Sharma Has Internet Talking Ahead Of IPL Auction

Mumbai Indians are the most talked-about franchise ahead of the release of the IPL 2027 retention list. Several reports have claimed that their captain of the last two seasons, Hardik Pandya, is leaving the franchise. In the event of Pandya's departure, MI will need a new captain. While MI have a youngster like Tilak Varma and a T20 World Cup-winning captain in Suryakumar Yadav, some reports have claimed that Rohit Sharma is also one of the options. Rohit, who won multiple IPL titles with the Mumbai Indians, made way for Hardik Pandya as skipper before IPL 2024.

In the midst of this, a video is going viral. Several social media accounts have claimed that the video was shot after the third India vs New Zealand ODI was abandoned due to rain in Hamilton on Tuesday. In the video, Rohit Sharma can be seen greeting New Zealand's Mitchell Santner by saying, "Hi, Mitchy." Santner then replies, "Hello, Skipper." Rohit is currently neither the India captain nor the MI captain. Santner is a Mumbai Indians player, having joined the franchise when Pandya was the captain. Santner's remark has gained significant traction on social media.

Rohit Sharma - Hey, Mitchi Mitchell Santner - Hello, Skipper Rohit Sharma - "Thanks, man https://t.co/rWeAoNl73O

— The Chakra (@thchakraindia) November 10, 2026

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra emphasised that Mumbai Indians' retention and release decisions ahead of the IPL 2027 auction will revolve around the potential trade of Hardik Pandya.

Hardik is set to be traded to Punjab Kings for Arshdeep Singh, as the all-rounder has failed to inspire Mumbai Indians to reach the final in his second stint with the franchise since 2024. IANS had earlier reported that the paperwork for the deal had been completed and that a formal nod was awaited.

Speaking to JioStar, Chopra stressed the importance of MI's retention decisions and the possible trade involving Hardik.

"If everything had gone well last season, looking at their team, you feel like, 'Why change anything at all?' They have the balance, they have the experience, and they have the explosiveness. So why change?

"Maybe they need an Indian spinner or an Indian fast bowler, which they will find. But that's all they needed to do. However, the major talk of the town is the trade of Hardik Pandya. That is where it is going to start for MI in terms of their decision-making on retentions and releases because you don't usually find a player like that. But what if, in his place, you get two?" he told JioStar.

Meanwhile, Chopra felt that MI should also release New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult, who endured a below-par 2026 season with the franchise. Boult took only two wickets in five matches in 2026 at an average of 94.

"Five matches, two wickets, 11.5 runs per over. That tells me that Trent Boult has to be released. Rs 12.5 crore is a lot of money, and in exchange, you can get quite a few players, and many people won't even need to be released.

"Hardik Pandya will be a trade; it's not going to be a release-or-retention question. So, if, in exchange for him, you cannot find players, then you have to retain Hardik Pandya. There is no doubt about it. But with Trent Boult, I don't think there is any ambiguity; he has to be released," he said.

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