Has Rohit Sharma Finally Lost His Spark for Mumbai Indians?

Rohit Sharma, the former captain of Mumbai Indians, has been struggling with his form in the ongoing IPL season. So far, in the three matches he has played, his performances have been disappointing. He scored 0(4) against Chennai Super Kings, 8(4) against Gujarat Titans, and 13(12) against Kolkata Knight Riders. This brings his total to just 21 runs in 3 innings, with an average of 7.00 and a strike rate of 105.00. His current form has left fans and team management hoping for a turnaround, but he hasn’t been able to make an impact so far.

Even in the previous IPL season, 2024, Rohit’s performance was inconsistent. While he finished as the top run-scorer for Mumbai Indians, he still struggled with maintaining form. Over 14 matches, he scored 417 runs, with an average of 32.07 and a strike rate of 150.00. He also hit 1 century and 1 half-century. However, despite his individual achievement, his performances were often marked by inconsistency, and after being removed as captain, he seemed less focused on the team’s success.

Fans Criticize Rohit Sharma for Lacking Focus Under Hardik Pandya’s Leadership

In IPL 2024, the Mumbai Indians made a bold move by bringing back star all-rounder Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans. Hardik was immediately announced as the new captain of the team, replacing the five-time IPL-winning captain, Rohit Sharma. This decision quickly sparked a wave of reactions from fans, many of whom were disappointed with the change and voiced their support for Rohit. However, the Mumbai Indians management clarified that the decision was based on Rohit Sharma’s poor form, which had been affecting the team’s performance. They stated that his lack of consistent results on the field was one of the main reasons for the change in leadership.

Rohit Sharma’s struggles with the bat have been noticeable in recent seasons, and it has put the team in a tough spot. Despite being one of the most successful players in IPL history, his recent performances have been below expectations. In 121 IPL innings, Rohit has scored just 2868 runs for Mumbai Indians, with an average of 24.93. His strike rate of 129.77 is the lowest among top IPL players like Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Sanju Samson, and Rishabh Pant. This has been a concerning stat for Mumbai Indians, who have been forced to rely on their other stars for run-scoring.

Since Hardik Pandya took over as captain, Rohit’s form has only worsened. Since the IPL 2021 season, Rohit has played 59 innings and scored only 1406 runs, with an average of 24.24 and a strike rate of 132.89. These numbers are far from the expectations set for a player of his caliber. Rohit has also struggled with consistency, recording 80 single-digit scores throughout his IPL career. This has contributed to a decline in his standing as one of the league’s most reliable batters. The change in captaincy and the continued lack of form have led many to question Rohit Sharma’s future in the IPL.

Is Mumbai Indians Management Moving On from Rohit Sharma?

Despite Mumbai Indians winning the game by 8 wickets, the main talking point was Rohit Sharma’s absence from the field during MI’s bowling innings, as he was used only as an Impact Player. The former captain, who has been a key figure for the franchise, was not included in the starting XI for the game against Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium. Instead, MI opted for a bowling-heavy lineup, with Rohit set to join during the chase.

While he was present with the team during breaks, Rohit appeared completely sidelined, with minimal interaction from teammates and management. This has raised further speculation that the Mumbai Indians are slowly phasing him out. Since losing the captaincy to Hardik Pandya, Rohit’s role in the team has visibly diminished. His recent poor form has only added to the concerns.

Moreover, after the match, England’s legend Michael Vaughan lashed out at Rohit Sharma, stating that he remains in Mumbai Indians’ playing XI primarily due to his legacy rather than current form. Vaughan pointed out that since Rohit is no longer MI’s captain, he should be judged solely on his batting, where his numbers have been unimpressive. He said:

Remember, you are judging Rohit just as a batter now because he’s not the captain (of Mumbai Indians). No, I think you can’t get away with average numbers, and they are average numbers. If your name is not Rohit Sharma, you’re probably losing your place in the side at some stage with those numbers. They’re not good enough for a player like Rohit Sharma. But if if he’s the captain as well and he’s adding his knowledge of being leader, the culture creator that he is, the tactician that he is, and I see it on a regular basis with India, and I’ve seen it with Mumbai in the past.

Over the past five IPL seasons, he has registered just six fifties and a single century, struggling to cross 400 runs in any season. While MI secured an 8-run win against KKR, thanks to Ashwani Kumar’s 4/24 and Ryan Rickleton’s unbeaten 62, Rohit’s form remained a concern. Vaughan emphasized that if not for his reputation, his place in the squad would be under threat, urging him to rediscover his rhythm at the top of the order.