IPL auction: Rohit Sharma comes home to Mumbai

Not many know that Mumbai Indians had actually tried their best to secure Rohit Sharma when the transfer window was open in December 2008.

The player, too, was keen on getting back ‘home’. What transpired between MI and Deccan Chargers (Sharma’s then franchise) isn’t known, but the move didn’t work out.

On Saturday, the 23-year-old gained handsomely on more than one front. First things first, he was picked up for a whopping $2 million, thereby giving him a staggering gain of $1.25 million. Secondly, Sharma won’t, at least for the next three years, go through the trauma of playing against a Mumbai side. Thirdly, and perhaps, most importantly, he will have the privilege of being nurtured by none other than Sachin Tendulkar, his idol.

“The feeling is tremendous,” Sharma told DNA from Durban. The youngster, who is slated to play for India in the one-off Twenty20 International against South Africa on Sunday, was told about the goings-on in Bangalore by a close friend. “I was attending a practice session. A friend of mine told me about this later,” he said.

So how does it feel to be one of the top grosser? “Feels great, actually. I was expecting to be picked for a decent amount. If you look at the overall statistics, you’ll know that I am the third highest run-getter in IPL. Maybe that record worked in my favour,” Sharma said, rather nonchalantly.

Interestingly, had DC decided to retain the right-hander, they would have had to pay him ‘only’ $1.8 million. “They (DC officials) told me they won’t retain me but will surely go for me at the auction. Mumbai Indians told me the same thing. Actually I am happy to play for Mumbai Indians. I have played for Mumbai (the domestic side) for five years now. Now I am a complete Mumbaikar!” Sharma said.

The biggest high, however, is that he’ll get to play alongside Sachin paaji. I share a very, very close relationship with him and this will only help me learn more from him. It’s a feeling I can’t explain. And this is something I was waiting for,” Sharma said, matter of factly.

To put things in perspective, MI’s decision to invest in Sharma stems from the fact that they believe he’s one for the future. He was touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket around three years ago but his inconsistency at the international level did prompt many to write him off. This association (with MI and Tendulkar) will, perhaps, bring the best out of him.

And yes, he also believes Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds (who, in fact, was also part of DC) will be great buddies in the new set-up. This is going to be one, big Mumbai family!