The captaincy situation at Mumbai Indians and the squad overhaul expected at Kolkata Knight Riders could become two major talking points ahead of the IPL
2027 mini-auction, according to former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara.
In a rapid-fire interaction with Star Sports, Pujara shared his predictions on potential player releases, leadership changes and the franchises that could have the toughest decisions before the December 16 auction.
While Mumbai Indians could face questions over their established core, Pujara believes Royal Challengers Bengaluru have little reason to make significant changes after building a balanced championship-winning squad.
KKR Could Release Most Players, Captaincy Also a Concern
Pujara identified Kolkata Knight Riders as the franchise likely to release the highest number of players ahead of the upcoming auction. The three-time champions could face a significant rebuilding exercise after a disappointing campaign.
KKR's leadership situation is another concern. Ajinkya Rahane, who captained the franchise last season, has retired from the game, leaving the franchise with an important decision to make.
When asked which team might search for a new captain, Pujara said, "I think again KKR, because they don't have a captain. "
The franchise could therefore enter the retention period with both squad composition and leadership requiring attention.
Mumbai Indians Could Make Surprise Releases
Mumbai Indians could also be among the teams making significant changes, with Pujara suggesting that even established members of their squad might be vulnerable.
When asked which franchise could make changes to its core squad, he replied, "Mumbai Indians. "
He also picked MI for a potential surprise release, explaining, "MI, because there are a lot of rumors around the squad. So, potentially, it could be MI. "
The Paltans are set to lose their captain Hardik Pandya as he moves to Punjab Kings, while Arshdeep Singh will come the other way.
The uncertainty surrounding Hardik Pandya's future has added to the speculation around Mumbai's plans. His possible departure could also trigger a major leadership discussion, particularly with Rohit Sharma potentially returning to the captaincy conversation.
Pujara believes the identity of Mumbai's next captain could have a significant impact on their campaign. "I think it will be interesting to see who leads the Mumbai Indians. And that decision can define IPL 2027. "
IPL 2027 Auction: RCB Expected to Have Comfortable Auction
Unlike KKR and Mumbai, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru could approach the mini-auction without much pressure. Pujara backed RCB to retain their established combination, pointing to the balance within their squad and the lack of pressing recruitment requirements.
"RCB, because they have a balanced squad and they don't need to look for players," he said.
The retention deadline is on November 17, while the mini auction will take place in Goa on December 16.
