Ravichandran Ashwin might have stepped away from regular international action and won’t be seen in IPL 2026 dressing rooms anymore, but the former India spinner is still a constant presence in cricket through commentary and his expanding role as a digital analyst. Whether it is pre-match planning or post-match conversations on his YouTube channel, Ashwin is known for breaking down key moments and keeping himself at the centre of discussions around big performances. That familiarity, though, made his silence during the IPL 2026 clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians stand out to fans.
Ashwin skips LSG vs MI analysis, Rohit’s innings becomes the talking point
While Ashwin did not feature in the analysis of the Lucknow Super Giants vs Mumbai Indians game in IPL 2026, the absence sparked immediate chatter—especially because the match was defined by a return-in-style knock from Rohit Sharma. Coming back from injury, Rohit powered Mumbai’s chase with a blistering 84 off 44 deliveries in a high-scoring contest. Fans soon noticed that Ashwin hadn’t commented on that innings, and the reaction turned into a light-hearted question on one of his shows.
During the segment, the host asked whether there was any friction behind the omission, pointing to the contrast between Ashwin’s frequent focus on other stars and his apparent silence on Rohit. The question was framed in a teasing manner: “Fans are saying you come and analyse RCB, Virat Kohli’s game, but Rohit Sharma played such a fine knock after so long. You ignored him. Kuch hua hai kya aapka Rohit se? (did something happen between you and Rohit)?”
Ashwin answered with humour, admitting, “Haan thoda lafda ho gaya na (Yes, I had a bit of a tussle).” He then moved quickly to clear the air, rejecting any suggestion of a personal issue. According to him, the real reason was far more straightforward: “You are saying anything. If I have had any tussle with anyone, I would not keep it to myself. Please understand me and keep a soft corner for me as well. I did commentary for two consecutive days and then travelled, came home, and slept at night.”
What Ashwin said after the Rohit knock
Even though he had missed the immediate breakdown, Ashwin made his assessment count when he finally spoke about Rohit’s performance. He praised the clarity of Rohit’s intent and highlighted the way the batter struck at the right moments. Ashwin specifically referenced the timing and placement of big hits, including a six against Avesh Khan that went over extra cover, describing it as the kind of shot worth watching repeatedly. He also pointed to another big strike—Rohit taking Manimaran Siddharth for a six over the bowler’s region.
After the compliments, Ashwin shifted to the bigger storyline of team momentum and match context. He noted that both Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians still have plenty to prove in IPL 2026, stressing that Mumbai’s situation is not about “nothing to do” but about building consistency. He said: “Rohit Sharma played a very good knock. The way he hit Avesh Khan for a six over extra cover, put it in a loop, and watch it 1,000 times. What a shot. He also hit Manimaran Siddharth for a six over the bowler. But LSG and MI have no scene in this IPL. Mumbai have nothing to prove. They only have themselves to prove. But even against LSG, they were in trouble with the ball. So, let’s see if they can do better from hereon.”
Rohit and Rickelton power MI to a six-wicket win
On the field, Mumbai Indians delivered the kind of dominance that made Rohit’s return a statement. Rohit and Ryan Rickelton combined to set the tone early, forging a 143-run partnership for the opening stand. Rickelton played the more explosive role, smashing 83 off just 32 balls as Mumbai built pressure from the first powerplay phase.
Lucknow had set a challenging target of 228/5, but Mumbai successfully chased it down in 18.4 overs, sealing a six-wicket victory. The win was a reminder of how quickly the dynamics can swing in T20 cricket—especially when top-order batting brings both pace and control.
- Rohit Sharma returned from injury and struck 84 off 44 balls.
- Ryan Rickelton contributed 83 off 32 deliveries in the opening partnership.
- Mumbai Indians posted the chase with 228/5 in 18.4 overs.
- MI won by six wickets, chasing down Lucknow’s target.
- The opening stand between Rohit and Rickelton was worth 143 runs.
IPL 2026 table impact: MI improve, LSG struggle
Despite the convincing chase, the result does not completely rewrite the tournament picture for either franchise. In the standings, Mumbai Indians now sit with three wins from 10 matches and total six points. Lucknow Super Giants, meanwhile, remain rooted near the bottom, still at four points from nine games.
With the playoff race tightening across IPL 2026, both teams are now described as being close to out of contention—making every remaining match a high-stakes opportunity to salvage momentum and confidence.
- Mumbai Indians: 3 wins from 10 matches, 6 points.
- Lucknow Super Giants: 4 points from 9 matches.
