When the Mumbai Indians (MI) elected to replace skipper Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya ahead of the IPL 2024, it represented the end of an era. While the rationale provided was transition, it didn’t change the reality that Rohit has been perhaps the finest IPL captain with MS Dhoni.
As MI captain, Rohit managed to win five IPL titles and a Champions League T20 in ten years. The legacy he has established is unlikely to be replicated by any other team captain.
While there are several great moments that Rohit Sharma has provided to MI supporters, here are five that stand out from the others.
1. Rohit Sharma replaced Ricky Ponting as MI captain and led them to their first IPL title
After five seasons, MI’s closest call to the trophy was when they reached the IPL 2010 final. They appointed Ricky Ponting as captain in 2013, but he resigned after a few games because he thought his battering performances were lacking.
Mumbai then made a choice that changed the course of the IPL. A youthful Rohit Sharma was given the task of leading MI to victory, and he delivered in that season, defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the final. But this wasn’t the only time he’d get the best of MS Dhoni and company.
2. Player of the Match led the counter-attack to win the final
A few years later, in the IPL 2015 final at Eden Gardens, Rohit Sharma squared off against MS Dhoni once more. Mumbai lost Parthiv Patel early in the game for a duck, and they needed someone to turn the tide in their favor.
Captain Rohit Sharma raised his hand and struck a half-century off only 25 balls, providing MI with the push they required. They finished with a tremendous total of 202/5, which was far too much for CSK, who lost by 41 runs.
3. Rohit Sharma leads from the front with another superb knock in the final
Despite appearing to be head and shoulders above the competition during the IPL 2020 season, the Mumbai Indians did lose Rohit Sharma for a few games due to injury. MI needed a strong start against a tough total of 157 in the final, and Rohit made sure Quinton de Kock could express himself from one end.
While Mumbai lost a couple wickets, Rohit remained solid at the other end, scoring 68 to ensure there were no more hitches in MI’s chase. Rohit Sharma collected his sixth championship as captain, capping up a near-perfect season for MI.
4. Last-ball thriller against RPS
Mumbai Indians won two finals by a single run, demonstrating how effective Rohit was as a captain in pressure situations. Krunal Pandya’s valiant 47-ball 47 on a tough surface helped MI reach a battling score of 129/8.
While the score appeared to be below par, Rohit Sharma rotated his bowlers brilliantly and ensured the game went down to the wire. Washington Sundar was run out on the penultimate ball, and Rohit’s epic run with the cap in his hand is simply another moment in MI history.
5. Trusting Lasith Malinga with the final over against CSK in 2019 final
Lasith Malinga was having a bad day, as he was pricey in his opening three overs of the 2019 IPL final against Chennai Super Kings. With nine runs to defend off the last over, Rohit Sharma put his faith in his main man. Malinga was able to nail his yorkers and reduce the equation to two runs off the final ball.
Shardul Thakur was absolutely perplexed by a slower yorker as he was stuck in front, and MI won yet another final. Rohit was naturally overjoyed and dashed into the changing room. His leadership brilliance and faith enabled Mumbai to win another game against CSK.