“Old man” Rohit Sharma has won over head coach Mahela Jayawardene with a fluent comeback display in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) against Lucknow Super Giants on Monday. At 39, Rohit looked every bit the experienced batter as he struck with the smoothness of a player in his late twenties, returning after a hamstring issue to score 84 off 44 balls and drive Mumbai Indians to a successful chase of 229. His innings powered an end to MI’s winless run, even though it also meant he narrowly missed what would have been his third IPL century.
Jayawardene’s backing and the recovery story
After the match, Jayawardene explained why Rohit’s return looked so sharp and what went into getting him back into action. With MI’s owner Nita Ambani presenting the Maverick Award to Rohit, the coach underlined his commitment throughout the recovery process.
Jayawardene noted that while Rohit was keen to get back sooner, the team’s medical and management staff opted for extra caution, a call that ultimately paid off. He said Rohit had worked hard to reach this stage and that the coaching group had chosen patience rather than rushing his comeback.
- Jayawardene said Rohit’s effort before the match was “brilliant”, highlighting his hard work to get back to full fitness.
- The coach added that Rohit was desperate to play, but the team kept faith in the recovery plan.
- He revealed that the usual comeback timeline for Rohit is quicker, yet this time the squad gave him an additional week to do what he needed.
- Jayawardene delivered the message from MI’s dressing room after the six-wicket win, crediting the patience shown by the management.
The comeback’s meaning: no rust, immediate rhythm
This was Rohit’s first appearance in nearly a month. His previous game had come on April 12 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, when he retired hurt after making 19. The key takeaway from Monday’s innings was that he showed no visible signs of rust, slipping straight back into his timing and shot selection.
- Rohit’s last IPL appearance before this match was on April 12 vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he retired hurt on 19.
- He returned after almost a month and produced an 84-ball knock with immediate fluency.
- Jayawardene’s comments and Rohit’s batting form suggest the fitness work has translated into performance.
What comes next for Rohit and MI
How Rohit handles the remainder of the season will reveal even more than the runs he scored. The focus is on his body’s response over time—especially given the demands of international cricket this year.
The schedule is set to be more demanding for India than it was previously, with challenging ODI tours of England and New Zealand on the horizon. Rohit will also be aware that if he makes the World Cup squad, he would be over 40, which would make him the oldest Indian to feature in the 50-over showpiece.
- Rohit’s next test is not only batting output, but how his body holds up match after match.
- India’s ODI calendar this year is busier than last year.
- England and New Zealand tours are part of the upcoming workload.
- If selected for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Rohit would be 40-plus, the oldest Indian to play in the 50-over tournament.
Six-wicket win, and the hunger to keep improving
So far, the signs are encouraging. But Rohit himself—and MI—will know that a strong comeback is only the beginning. At this stage, it isn’t enough to simply return; the road ahead must bring more big contributions and fewer setbacks.
With the hamstring recovery appearing to be on track and Rohit now operating in only one international format for India, the 2027 World Cup picture looks feasible. Still, the season’s remaining fixtures will decide whether this revival becomes a sustained run of impact rather than a single, timely return.
