Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has dismissed speculation that IPL 2027 could be Rohit Sharma’s final season in the tournament. Ashwin cited MS Dhoni’s long IPL career as an example, noting that retirement predictions have surrounded the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) veteran for several seasons.

The speculation comes as the IPL approaches the final year of its current three-year mega auction cycle. Rohit Sharma, who turns 40 in 2027, is second on the IPL’s all-time run-scoring list with 7,329 runs in 281 matches. Hardik Pandya replaced him as skipper of the five-time IPL champions ahead of IPL 2024.

Ravichandran Ashwin Compares Rohit Sharma’s IPL Future to MS Dhoni

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin said it was too early to determine how long Rohit Sharma would continue playing. He cited Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020 but remains active in the IPL at 45. Ashwin also backed Naman Dhir as a potential future captain for MI.

“We don't know if he's (Rohit) going to play only one more year or longer. The same has been said about Dhoni, and he has ended up playing for many years and will likely return as a player again next season,” Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

“In the future, I won't rule out Naman Dhir also as a captaincy option in the future, looking at his clarity and unflappability,” he added.

Rohit captained Mumbai Indians (MI) from 2013 to 2023, leading the franchise to all five of its IPL titles. The franchise remains one of the tournament’s most successful teams.

Ravichandran Ashwin Predicts Hardik Pandya Trade Ahead of IPL 2027

Ravichandran Ashwin also opened up about the growing speculation surrounding Hardik Pandya’s future at Mumbai Indians. He suggested that Mumbai could seek a leg-spinner in return for Pandya, while noting reports of another potential target.

"It's almost certain that he (Hardik) won't be with MI unless they try to retain him at the last moment. But I do believe he'll be traded. MI might look for a leg-spinner in the trade, and there were even talks of MI targeting an Indian left-arm pacer from PBKS for Hardik," said Ashwin (via the aforementioned source).

The all-rounder replaced Rohit Sharma as captain ahead of IPL 2024, but the franchise has reached the playoffs only once in the three seasons under his leadership. Mumbai finished ninth in the IPL 2026 standings, adding to questions about the team’s direction and Pandya’s future.

Mumbai Indians Aim to End Six-Year IPL Title Drought

Mumbai Indians have not won the IPL since their 2020 triumph. They have qualified for the playoffs only twice in the six seasons since that title, a disappointing run for a franchise that dominated the tournament during Rohit Sharma’s captaincy.

The team’s results have also fallen short of expectations since Pandya took over. Despite boasting a strong squad on paper, Mumbai have missed the playoffs in two of the three seasons from 2024 to 2026 and managed just one top-four finish during that period.

The franchise has appointed former player Kieron Pollard as its new head coach ahead of the next season. A potential change in captaincy could be another key decision for the management.

Rohit’s return to the leadership role could be an option given his experience and record with Mumbai, although no such move has been confirmed. The franchise must determine the leadership structure it believes can take the team back into title contention.