Rohit Sharma, the former captain of the Mumbai Indians, divulged his success formula during his tenure from 2013 to 2023. As the Indian Premier League (IPL) season commenced, the Mumbai batter saw his leadership role transition to Hardik Pandya, who arrived via a trade from the Gujarat Titans. The decision to replace Rohit and appoint Hardik stirred significant controversy within the cricketing community.
Many were sceptical about Hardik’s capabilities to lead one of the most victorious franchises in the league. Consequently, Hardik faced jeers from spectators in every stadium, including the revered Wankhede Stadium, where Mumbai Indians played their home matches. The team’s lacklustre performance exacerbated the situation, with three consecutive losses marking their campaign’s outset. Presently, they languish at the bottom of the points table, with only two wins from six games in IPL 2024.
Rohit Sharma solidified his legacy at the Mumbai Indians, assuming captaincy mid-season in 2013 and guiding the team to five IPL titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. In a recent interview on the Club Prairie Fire podcast alongside cricket stalwarts Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan, the 36-year-old reflected on his leadership journey in the IPL.
WATCH – Mumbai Indians’ Unique Approach to Discipline: Creative Punishments in IPL 2024
“Over the years, the narrative for Mumbai Indians has been consistent – starting slow and then undergoing a transformation. Introducing new players into the squad requires a transition period, especially with a captain who has been at the helm for a decade. I made conscious efforts to align newcomers with my vision, drawing from my experience of understanding the nuances of the IPL and the demands of building a successful team,” Rohit Sharma explained.
He continued, “For instance, with various overseas and local players joining the team, my familiarity with the Wankhede Stadium played a pivotal role. Having grown up playing there, I understood what strategies work best.”
Despite relinquishing the captaincy, Rohit has maintained stellar form in IPL 2024, amassing 261 runs in six matches at an impressive average of 52.20 and a striking rate of 167.31. His standout performance came in Mumbai’s recent clash against the Chennai Super Kings, where he notched his second IPL century of the season. However, despite his efforts, Mumbai fell short, succumbing to a 20-run defeat against the Men in Yellow.
ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma Denies Reports Of Selection Meeting For T20 World Cup 2024
Following lacklustre IPL seasons in 2022 and 2023, where Rohit struggled with averages of 19.14 and 20.75, respectively, his resurgence in IPL 2024 has reignited hopes among Indian cricket enthusiasts. With the T20 World Cup 2024 looming in June, fans eagerly anticipate Rohit’s continued form and leadership on the international stage.
