Rohit Sharma, one of the most successful captains in the Indian Premier League (IPL), was warmly welcomed by the Mumbai Indians (MI) when he joined the star-studded squad ahead of the forthcoming season.
In a video posted by MI, young fans were seen cheering for Rohit Sharma as he entered the team hotel. The Mumbai-based franchise captioned their Instagram post:
“WOH AAA GAYA…RO AA GAYA.” (He has come, Ro has come.)
Rohit Sharma has guided MI to five championships (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020) in the lucrative league. As captain, he led the franchise to 87 victories in 158 games for a win percentage of 55.06. Only Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni (133 Wins) has more T20 wins than Rohit.
Rohit Sharma has won the most trophies in the event (five with MI and one with the Deccan Chargers).
Rohit Sharma is an extraordinary batsman in IPL, among the leading run-scorers. The right-handed batter has racked up 6211 runs from 243 matches at an amazing strike rate – 130.05. He has smashed one ton and 42 half-centuries. Impressively, with the ball, Rohit has taken 15 wickets, including a remarkable hat-trick.
Yet, the 36-year-old’s last two IPL seasons have been underwhelming, with a meagre 600 runs at an average of just 20.
Rohit recently guided India to a 4-1 series victory against England in Tests. The opening scored 400 runs in nine innings, averaging 44.44 and hitting four half-centuries.
“I know he will have his hand on my shoulder all through the season – Hardik Pandya on Rohit Sharma
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has stated that he plans to carry on Rohit Sharma’s legacy at MI after succeeding him as captain ahead of the IPL 2024 season. The all-rounder remarked in a news conference:
“It won’t be any different because he will always be there to help me out if I need his help. At the same time, his (Rohit) being the Indian captain helps me because this team has achieved all its glory under his belt.
“From now on, it will just be me carrying forward what he started. I know he will have his hand on my shoulder all through the season.”
Hardik Pandya
MI’s IPL 2024 campaign will begin on March 24 against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.