Rohit Sharma has built a reputation for big starts and even bigger totals in the IPL, and the numbers have reflected that consistency. In the 18 seasons leading up to IPL 2026, he has managed to breach the 350-run mark only five times. Even with his current, more aggressive approach, he has continued to rack up runs in volume—collecting 417 across 14 matches in 2024 and then 418 from 15 games in 2025.
That context makes MI’s slump during his absence all the more striking. Rohit missed five matches between April 12 and May 4, a gap that severely affected the franchise’s momentum. On Monday night, he returned with a statement knock, striking 84 off 44 balls against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Rohit’s return and the impact at the top
- Rohit combined with Ryan Rickelton, who made 83 off 32 deliveries, to put on 143 runs for the opening wicket in just under 11 overs.
- In that partnership, Rohit’s shot-making stood out for its fluency through the covers and his ability to keep finding runs even when the bowling turned to spin.
Sanjay Bangar praised Rohit’s batting on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, highlighting how the opener looked comfortable with both the line he was taking and the way he was attacking. Bangar suggested Rohit seems to have fully committed to the habit of clearing the boundary regularly, and that intent was evident in the way the innings unfolded.
Boundary count underlined the message. Rohit struck seven sixes, while Rickelton struck eight. Three of Rohit’s maximums came during the powerplay against Mohammed Shami and Avesh Khan, with the remaining four coming against pace in general—along with two more powered off the left-arm spin of M Siddharth.
Bangar also pointed to a broader trend in T20 cricket. He argued that sides increasingly prioritise opening batters who can hit into the stands early, especially within the first six overs, and that this style is proving decisive. In his view, evidence from both the current and the previous season shows that the value of those early bursts is far greater than what teams can gain from late-innings acceleration.
Why MI missed Rohit—and how the opening plans changed
The knock is also a reminder of how Rohit has adapted over time, with the veteran helping redefine what “modern” opening batting can look like in the league. MI did have experienced options in the top order even without him—Rickelton and Quinton de Kock were still part of the group—but the situation was complicated by the fact that Rohit’s absence was linked to a hamstring issue. In addition, the way overseas spots were being used at the top rarely allows for the same balance that a stable opening unit usually provides.
With overseas availability tightened, the team’s opening combinations shifted. Of the three matches de Kock played during Rohit’s absence, Rickelton appeared in only one. Danish Malewar was used for the other two games, which meant MI were often forced into a “like-for-like” substitution rather than maintaining the same attacking rhythm at the start.
Veda Krishnamurthy explained why the pairing options were limited. He said MI couldn’t field both Quinton and Rickelton together because they required an additional overseas bowler, as the Indian bowling group had not been performing effectively. He added that Deepak Chahar was not at his best, which pushed MI toward using Trent Boult—but even then, Boult did not deliver in the expected way. In that environment, Krishnamurthy argued that experience in the opening slots becomes crucial because it shapes the whole innings structure.
Krishnamurthy further noted the knock-on effect on MI’s attempted combinations: either Rickelton or de Kock would open alongside Danish Malewar, rather than having a settled pairing. That, he said, is difficult because it removes the luxury of having a proven, experienced Indian opener—like Rohit—in the lineup.
Playoff push and the importance of early momentum
MI currently sit down at No. 9 in the points standings. Before Rohit went out, they had managed just one win in the four matches they played. Even so, among their three wins so far, two have featured major contributions from Rohit—most notably a 78-ball, 38-delivery effort against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and the innings on Monday night against LSG.
As MI look to mount a late push toward the playoffs, the return of Rohit’s early-firepower will be central to their hopes. With his form visibly back on track, they will be banking on him to keep the momentum going from the very start of the innings.
