In a stunning revelation that could have rewritten IPL history, former Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Abhishek Nayar has disclosed how Rohit Sharma was on the verge of being retained by KKR before his legendary move to Mumbai Indians.
The Retention That Almost Changed IPL Destiny
Speaking candidly about the 2011 IPL retention saga, Nayar revealed that KKR management seriously considered retaining the young Rohit Sharma alongside established stars. "Rohit was very close to being retained by KKR," Nayar emphasized, highlighting how different the cricketing landscape might have looked today.
Mumbai Indians' Masterstroke
Ultimately, KKR opted to retain only Gautam Gambhir, leaving Rohit Sharma available for Mumbai Indians to snatch him up for $2 million. This decision proved to be one of the most transformative moves in IPL history, as Rohit went on to lead Mumbai Indians to an unprecedented five IPL titles.
Nayar's Personal Connection
Nayar, who shared the dressing room with Rohit at both KKR and for the Indian national team, expressed his admiration for the cricketer's journey. "I've seen him grow from a talented youngster to one of the most successful captains in IPL history," he shared, underscoring the personal bond between the two players.
What Could Have Been: Alternate IPL Reality
The revelation sparks fascinating questions about how IPL dynamics might have shifted:
- Would KKR have achieved more success with Rohit as captain?
- Could Mumbai Indians' dominant era have been prevented?
- How would Rohit's career trajectory have changed?
This behind-the-scenes insight adds another layer to Rohit Sharma's remarkable IPL journey, showing how close cricket came to witnessing a completely different leadership story in the world's most exciting cricket league.
