Last Updated on 8 months by Charbel Coorey
When you think of the Mumbai Indians (MI), Rohit Sharma is one of the names that springs to mind. The franchise has enjoyed great success over the past decade, winning five IPL titles since 2013 – all under Rohit’s captaincy.
However, IPL 2024 has been a chastening year in more ways than one for MI. It seemed a very abrupt decision to replace Rohit as captain with the returning Hardik Pandya, with very little communication or even messages of thanks to a player who had contributed so much.
Fast forward to the season itself, and things spiralled out of control quickly. Hardik was booed and jeered everywhere he went – even the Wankhede – with rumours growing that senior players have not seen eye to eye on Hardik’s leadership style.
The speculation and noise has affected the MI team, including Rohit himself who scored just 52 runs in his last six innings after a promising start to the campaign.
Rohit Sharma may have played his last game for Mumbai Indians
With a mega auction looming, there is a strong possibility that Rohit Sharma has played his last game for MI. If that is indeed the case, it is a sour end to what was a sweet ride for Rohit in the MI jersey, particularly as captain.
Putting ourselves in the shoes of the MI management, Rohit’s form, as well as the fact that he was replaced as captain, would make it a surprise if he is one of the players retained.
One would assume Hardik Pandya, whom the management has already put so much trust in, would be one of the retentions, along with Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah. Another retention could be Tilak Varma, who shapes up as a mainstay in MI’s middle order for years to come.
Even if franchises get their wish and have eight retentions, would Rohit be one of them? There is an argument he has underachieved as a batter in the IPL, with an average below 30 after 251 innings. He has topped 400 runs just once since 2016, and has surpassed 500 once in his whole career.
If he isn’t captain, then the numbers may be enough for the team management to bid au revoir to one of their finest servants, even if his record is not quite at the level it should be for a player of his ability.
Fans share that view, with 75.6% stating that the chapter is over for Rohit at MI in a poll on ESPNcricinfo’s live commentary of the Mumbai Indians-Lucknow Super Giants match.
If is indeed the end, one hopes Rohit gets the farewell he deserves. If it’s not on the field, then certainly off it as a thank you to what he has contributed to this successful franchise.
