Trying to spark a comeback for the Mumbai Indians with their play-off chances hanging by a thread, Rohit Sharma was seen working hard in the nets on Sunday. The Mumbai skipper, who had been sidelined by an injury, went through batting drills when an accident occurred—he struck a member of the ground staff while taking a shot. Even after being told to keep going and not to worry about the person hurt, Rohit immediately rushed over to check on the injured staffer.
The ground staff member, Siban Biswas, later described how the incident unfolded. He explained that when Rohit instructed the team to take away the off-side net, the staff complied and positioned themselves on the side. Biswas said that while he was busy tying up the rope and not watching the players closely, the ball came in and hit him on his left knee.
Biswas added that Rohit quickly approached him after noticing the situation. He said Rohit asked about the injury, but Biswas urged him to continue his batting rather than focus on the setback. According to Biswas, Rohit returned with an ice pack and arranged for someone to bring medicine and a spray to apply to his leg.
Despite feeling pain in his knee, Biswas said the moment still left him pleased because Rohit’s response included a direct, supportive gesture. He described it as a mix of emotions—painful in the moment, yet satisfying because he received a handshake from the captain and Rohit was visibly apologetic.
Mumbai Indians campaign under pressure
While the injury recovery and net work were part of Rohit’s push to get back to full rhythm, Mumbai’s broader season has continued to look unstable. Despite a star-studded squad and a proud record that includes five IPL titles, the franchise’s last three years have featured uneven stretches.
After finishing at the bottom in 2024 and then losing in Qualifier 2 in 2025, Mumbai’s current campaign has again struggled to build momentum. With results not consistently going their way, questions have grown louder about what needs to change at multiple levels.
Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull pointed out that the downturn cannot be put entirely on the players or even solely on the captain. He argued that the franchise leadership must also take ownership of the choices made over time—especially decisions that have contributed to the present situation.
Doull said responsibility should extend beyond day-to-day cricketing matters, adding that one season can be viewed as an anomaly, but the franchise has not been performing to its usual standard across a longer stretch. He also referenced Mumbai’s historic success, noting that the side has won a quarter of the tournament’s titles across 19 years.
