Former India batter Aakash Chopra believes Mumbai Indians are being held back by the absence of Rohit Sharma as they continue to struggle when the pressure rises in big chases. With Rohit sidelined by a hamstring problem, the Mumbai batting unit has again shown signs of fragility, slipping into two separate collapses and ultimately falling short of a 208-run target against Chennai Super Kings at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. The result marked Mumbai’s fifth defeat of the season, their biggest home loss to date, and a third straight setback at a venue many had previously viewed as a stronghold.
MI’s setback at Wankhede and Rohit Sharma’s absence
- Chasing 208 versus CSK, Mumbai first slid to 11/3.
- They then collapsed further, moving from 84/3 to 104 all out.
- The defeat came on Thursday at Wankhede Stadium, landing as Mumbai’s fifth loss of the campaign.
- It was also Mumbai’s most damaging home defeat so far and their third successive loss at the “fortress” venue.
Chopra’s concern is closely tied to Rohit’s current unavailability. The India opener had picked up the hamstring issue while playing against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and after scoring 19 not out off 13 balls, he was forced to walk off the field. Since then, Rohit has missed three matches. Across four appearances this season, he has made 137 runs at an average of 45.66, striking at more than 165, and has one fifty to his name.
Speaking on Star Sports Cricket Live, Chopra said MI’s problem in successful run chases begins with the lack of strong early momentum. He also pointed to the bowling unit’s inability to keep opponents from flowing freely once runs start to come.
“They have certainly missed Rohit Sharma. Without strong starts, chasing totals in the 210–220 range becomes very difficult. Suryakumar Yadav has not contributed enough so far, and Hardik Pandya also hasn’t made the kind of impact you need in these chases,” Chopra said. “Tilak Varma’s hundred is a positive, but the rest of the batting group needs to step up.”
Chopra added that the bowling support beyond Jasprit Bumrah has not been consistent enough. “Apart from Bumrah, most bowlers have been leaking runs. Ghazanfar has been fairly steady, but he still needs better support from the other end,” he said.
CSK’s opener Sanju Samson’s century and the impact it can have
In the same discussion, Chopra’s fellow JioStar analyst Kumble focused on CSK’s batting, praising opener Sanju Samson for his match-defining century. Kumble noted that over recent seasons CSK openers have not always delivered with regularity, but said the opening position has played a major part in the team’s success across five IPL title triumphs. Against Mumbai, Samson carried his side to 207/6 with a 54-ball 101 not out, striking 10 fours and clearing the ropes for six sixes.
Kumble described Samson’s form as a significant shift. “Samson has stepped up in that context, two unbeaten hundreds in just seven matches, and has been instrumental in carrying the team through. It is similar to the role Jos Buttler played during Rajasthan’s run to the final, and you can clearly see that influence in the way Sanju has evolved his game,” he said.
He also highlighted Samson’s wider tournament contribution. The T20 World Cup ‘Player of the Tournament’ is currently CSK’s leading run-scorer, with 293 runs in seven innings at an average of 58.60 and a strike rate of 178.65. His tally includes two centuries, and he is also the third-highest run-getter in the competition so far.
RCB vs GT: bounce-back hopes and reliance on the top order
Kumble then turned to the day’s separate contest between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans, both sides looking to set the tone after recent results. He said RCB would be aiming to secure the full haul of two points after their loss to Delhi Capitals. The Shubman Gill-led Titans, he suggested, are currently operating “low on confidence” and remain heavily dependent on their top-order core of Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler.
“RCB will be looking to bounce back after their loss to Delhi Capitals and secure two points, especially against a GT side that looks low on confidence. GT have shown an over-reliance on their top order, and if bowlers like Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar can strike early, they could find it difficult, as the middle order hasn’t really stepped up so far,” he concluded.
