Rohit Sharma has had a disastrous start to this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL). The 38-year-old has scored just 82 runs in six innings at a dismal average of 13.66. The opener’s 26 off 16 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday was his highest score this season.
Rohit’s lean patch has coincided with the Mumbai Indians’ inconsistent performance this season. The Hardik Pandya-led franchise are currently seventh on the points table.
Call it a lackadaisical attitude on the part of five-time champions Mumbai Indians, but they are partly suffering because of Rohit’s poor form.
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene has subtly mentioned that the powerplay struggle has been costing the team. “The powerplay is a concern for us with the ball and the bat,” he said in a press conference. With Jasprit Bumrah back, MI potentially have the best bowling unit in the tournament. However, the struggles are evident with the bat.
Poll
Should Mumbai Indians consider dropping Rohit Sharma?
Despite Rohit’s failures, Jayawardene has publicly backed the ageing star. He said: “I still back the senior pros and all the guys I put out there. They have the skill. It’s just that we need to be a bit more ruthless. At times, we’re missing out on those one or two overs where we lose our discipline.”
Indeed, Rohit has led Mumbai Indians to five IPL trophies in 11 years, but since 2022, he averages just 22.89. That is the second-lowest of the 21 openers to play 20-plus innings.
Rohit, who helped end India’s 11-year ICC title drought with the T20 World Cup win in 2024 and the Champions Trophy title last month, has batted past the powerplay in only 12 of his 36 IPL innings since the start of 2023 and is yet to bat outside the powerplay this year.
Among those aged 35 and struggling in this year’s IPL, Rohit Sharma is second only to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Andre Russell, who has scored only 34 runs in seven outings. Unlike Rohit, however, Russell bats down the order and generally faces fewer deliveries. Among all IPL openers this season so far, Rohit Sharma’s figures are the second-worst, after Delhi Capitals’ Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has managed 55 runs in six outings
Did MI miss the trick?
Over the years, Mumbai Indians have taken some ruthless calls and at the same time have unearthed top talent through their extensive scouting network, be it the Pandya brothers — Krunal and Hardik — Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan, Ramandeep Singh, and Vignesh Puthur and Ashwani Kumar this season.
Who’s that IPL player?
Let’s go down memory lane. In 2013, midway through the season, the franchise decided to sack skipper Ricky Ponting, and Mumbai Indians went on to win their first IPL title.
But that ruthless approach hasn’t been followed in dealing with Rohit. His 15s and 20s are celebrated like there is no tomorrow. But the fact is that he is letting his team down. He occupies a crucial spot in the order, and with his fitness concerns and the current knee issue, it is anyone’s guess whether he will play two more IPL seasons.
Rohit Sharma in IPL
Did Mumbai Indians miss a trick by retaining Rohit last year? Before the auction, they retained a 37-year-old guy. With him, it clearly shows they are not looking five years ahead, and with his dismal form, he is letting his team down.
Rohit has crossed 400-plus runs in only one of the last five seasons, and former India opener Virender Sehwag has said that the IPL’s most successful captain is not doing justice to his legacy. “It is your legacy that is getting hurt. Ab unke jaane ka samay hain (It’s now time for him to retire),” he told Cricbuzz.
Rohit Sharma’s legendary status may likely earn him a longer rope, but it would be interesting to see for how long Mumbai Indians, a franchise known for taking brave calls, will back the weakest link.
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