Rohit Sharma needs to make his presence felt.
| Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI
Following the full auction, the 2025 edition may be the start of a new cycle of the Indian Premier League. For Mumbai Indians, though, it has resulted in the same old story.
Having built a reputation of ‘slow starters’, Mumbai Indians has emerged as one team that ends up on the right side by the end of the IPL.
If Hardik Pandya’s men want to be in the race in the latter half, they will have to be at their very best at home. As MI returns to the Wankhede Stadium for its maiden home tie, it will bank on crowd support — something that was missing last season — against Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday.
Mumbai Indians, which suffered consecutive losses in away games, will have to be at its best against a team that is helmed by two Mumbaikars —captain Ajinkya Rahane and head coach Chandrakant Pandit. The Knight Riders will bank on Sunil Narine’s all-round exploits after the West Indian missed the last game against Rajasthan Royals.
For Mumbai Indians, though, the focus will be on extending its head-to-head record against KKR. For that to happen, however, veteran opener Rohit Sharma will have to make his presence felt.
Having had three lacklustre IPL seasons, Rohit has lasted eight balls in two innings combined this year to add to MI’s top-order woes. Captain Hardik had no qualms in stating on Saturday night after the loss to Gujarat Titans that the batters have to shoulder responsibility.
Will Rohit respond with a responsible cameo? Or will Rahane lead KKR to its third consecutive win against its bogey team?
Published – March 30, 2025 08:05 pm IST