Rohit Sharma was absent from the field during KKR’s batting innings in Mumbai Indians’ match at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday. Although he later returned as an impact player during the run-chase, no official explanation was provided for his absence during the game.
It was only during the post-match press conference after MI’s defeat that veteran spinner Piyush Chawla revealed why Rohit was not in the XI. Chawla disclosed that Rohit had reported back stiffness, leading to his deployment as an impact player as a precautionary step.
“He just had a mild back stiffness, so it was just a precautionary thing,” Chawla told the media at the Wankhede Stadium.
Interestingly, Rohit experienced a similar back issue during the Test series against England earlier this year. He was absent from the field on Day 3 of the final Test, with Jasprit Bumrah assuming the captaincy. India secured a victory that day, winning the series 4-1.
In the match against KKR, Rohit’s impact was limited when he joined the XI during the run-chase, scoring 11 runs off 12 deliveries as MI fell short by 24 runs, marking their eighth defeat. With only three matches left in their campaign, MI are almost certain of elimination following this loss.
The 37-year-old MI batsman has experienced a varied season thus far. Although he managed to score a century against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings, it stands as his sole 50+ score this year.
With 326 runs in 11 matches, Rohit’s form is also emerging as a possible concern as Team India prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Rohit will lead the team alongside his MI captain, Hardik Pandya, serving as his deputy in the prestigious global tournament, commencing on June 1.
What are the future plans for Rohit and MI?
As Mumbai Indians’ playoff hopes diminish with each match, they must now depend on other teams’ performances and win all their remaining games to have a chance at qualifying.
Currently occupying the 9th position in the table, all three of their remaining matches are against teams in the top four (Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Lucknow Super Giants).
If MI fails to qualify, Rohit and the team’s T20 World Cup-bound players (Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah) are likely to depart for the Americas sooner.
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