Rohit Sharma took a late DRS call in MI vs. RR, sparking cheating accusations / © NDTV Sports
Throughout the 17 seasons of the Indian Premier League, there have been some moments where the umpires have got the decisions in the favour of the Mumbai Indians or there have been some instances where the technology used or other factors have mostly gone their way. This has raised ongoing questions among fans about whether the league is biased towards Mumbai Indians or if it’s just a case of the team getting lucky more often than not.
Just like many such controversial moments, another one unfolded on 1st May 2025 during the clash between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The incident occurred in the second over of the first innings when Mumbai Indians were batting. RR pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi delivered a sharp delivery to MI opener Rohit Sharma, which struck him on the pads. The fielding side went up in a strong appeal and the on-field umpire raised his finger, declaring Rohit out LBW.
What followed was a moment of hesitation. Rohit appeared unsure about taking the review. The DRS timer, which allows only 15 seconds to signal a challenge, was already ticking down quickly. As the clock inched closer to zero, Rohit still hadn’t clearly indicated a review. Then, just as the timer touched its final second, or perhaps slightly after, depending on the viewer’s perspective, Rohit signalled for DRS.
The review was accepted and referred to the third umpire. The replay confirmed that the ball had pitched outside leg stump, and the decision was overturned, much to the relief of the Mumbai Indians camp. Rohit exhaled visibly and even smiled, knowing just how close he had come to walking back early.
However, what seemed like a lucky escape for Rohit triggered a storm on social media. Many fans expressed outrage, questioning how the review was allowed if it was made after the 15-second mark. According to the official DRS rules, a review must be clearly signalled within 15 seconds of the on-field decision. Fans felt that Rohit’s call came after the buzzer, yet the umpire still allowed it. The controversy sparked fresh allegations from fans that Mumbai Indians often receive lenient treatment from the officials or that rules are flexibly interpreted in their favour.
While there was no official statement from the IPL or the match officials regarding the DRS timing controversy, the moment continues to stir debate among fans. Whether it was a technical delay, human error, or just another coincidence, it left a bitter taste for many Rajasthan supporters and IPL fans who demand fair play across all franchises.
At the top of the order for the Mumbai Indians, Rohit Sharma has once again found his rhythm in IPL 2025 after a shaky start to the season. Across 9 matches so far, Rohit has scored 293 runs at an impressive strike rate of 155.0 and a solid average of 32.56, proving he still has what it takes to dominate at the highest level.
Rohit began the season with a string of low scores, including a duck against Chennai Super Kings, followed by just 8 runs against Gujarat Titans and 13 against Kolkata Knight Riders. These early dismissals raised concerns about his form, especially after a below-average campaign last season. However, the experienced opener turned things around quickly and has since delivered some match-winning performances.
His revival began with a handy 17 off 9 balls against LSG, followed by 18 off 12 balls against RCB and 26 off 16 balls versus Delhi Capitals, where he struck three sixes. The real comeback, though, came in his second match against CSK, where Rohit smashed an unbeaten 76 off 45 balls, hitting 4 fours and 6 sixes. This knock silenced critics and reminded everyone of the “Hitman” brilliance.
He followed that up with another strong performance as 70 off 46 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which included 8 fours and 3 sixes. Even in the game against LSG where he scored just 12 off 5 balls, his aggressive intent was evident, hitting two sixes in no time. Most recently, he added another crucial knock, 53 off 36 balls against Rajasthan Royals, filled with 9 boundaries, continuing his rich form.
With three half-centuries in his last four games, Rohit is back to being the run machine at the top and his consistency is helping Mumbai Indians post competitive totals and get strong starts in power plays. His 27 fours and 17 sixes this season show his attacking approach, which has been key to MI’s momentum in recent matches and equally important has been his partnership with Ryan Rickelton, with whom he stitched a 116-run stand, the highest opening partnership for MI this season. Together, they’ve given MI a reliable opening pair, which was missing in the first few games.
Adding to his stellar form, Rohit Sharma achieved a major career milestone during the IPL 2025 clash against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur as the veteran opener crossed 6000 runs for Mumbai Indians in T20 cricket, becoming only the second player in the format to do so for a single franchise. He now has 6024 runs to his name for MI, behind only Virat Kohli, who leads with 8871 runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Rohit has represented Mumbai Indians in 231 matches and it makes him not only the team’s all-time leading run-scorer in the IPL but also one of the most loyal and impactful players in the league’s history and in a season where every match counts, Rohit Sharma’s return to form has been a big boost for Mumbai Indians, and if he continues batting this way, MI will stay right in the playoff race.