While the Mumbai Indians are currently leading the IPL 2023 points table, one of their main concerns is the health of their skipper, Rohit Sharma. Rohit has had a terrible season in the Indian Premier League, scoring only 191 runs in 11 games with a strike rate of 124.84.
A layperson might respond that this is simply a matter of form. However, a glance at the stats from prior seasons reveals that Rohit’s slump is not unique to the IPL 2023.
Rohit has had a difficult six-year run, and his poor batting form has been masked by Mumbai’s overall performance as a team and his captaincy.
This year, though, several doubts have been raised regarding Rohit’s role on the squad. Pundits have advised that Rohit be pulled from the team immediately. But, should MI do so?
Here are three reasons why MI should continue with MI despite his dismal performance in the IPL 2023.
1) His experience
Since his IPL debut in 2008, the Indian captain has appeared in 238 games, amassing 6070 runs at a strike rate of little under 130. These figures indicate a wealth of experience, which cannot be purchased.
MI’s current lineup has a number of youthful players, including Ishan Kishan, Cameron Green, Tilak Verma, and Nehal Wadhera. As a result, the presence of an experienced campaigner is critical in order to keep the team’s core intact. His sheer presence will be soothing to the others who are still studying at this level.
2) What he offers
Rohit Sharma’s contribution to the Mumbai Indians extends much beyond his hitting. Over the years, Mumbai Indians have almost become synonymous with Rohit Sharma. That is the type of service Rohit has provided to the franchise. As captain, he has guided MI to five IPL wins in ten years, a remarkable performance given the tournament’s high level of competition.
MI started poorly this year, but they are presently third in the points table and are in a good position to make the playoffs. Although he hasn’t batted, he has led exceptionally effectively, despite facing one of the poorest bowling assaults this season.
3) Steps up in the big games
Despite dismal seasons, Rohit has shown a proclivity for rising to the occasion in crucial games. In the 2015 IPL final, he hammered a magnificent half-century with a strike rate of over 200. Then, in 2017, he made significant contributions in both Qualifier 2 and the Final, both of which were low-scoring games. In the final of the IPL 2020, he contributed 68 important runs to assist MI chase down 157 runs.
MI is aware of Rohit’s contributions in key games and expects him to come up again this year during crunch time. Rohit would be anxious to return the trust placed in him by his franchise.