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Rohit Sharma endured a challenging Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign this year, marked by a significant setback before the season even began. The experienced batsman was unexpectedly stripped of his captaincy, a role he had held with distinction, and was replaced by Hardik Pandya.
Mumbai Indians opted to part ways with their five-time IPL-winning captain, citing his inability to secure the title in the previous three seasons. In contrast, Hardik Pandya had made a strong impression as captain of the Gujarat Titans, leading them to the championship in 2022 and guiding them to the final in 2023.
Although Rohit Sharma kept his disappointment private, certain moments made it evident that he was dissatisfied with the franchise’s decision. One notable instance occurred at Eden Gardens, where he was seen conversing with Abhishek Nayar, the Kolkata Knight Riders’ assistant coach and a former Mumbai teammate, during a training session. In the video, Rohit voiced his frustration about the changes within the Mumbai Indians and hinted that the IPL 2024 season would be his final one with the team.
“Ek ek cheez change ho raha hai…Woh unke upar hai…Jo bhi hai woh mera ghar hai bhai, woh temple jo hai na maine banwaya hai(Everything is changing one by one… It’s on them… Whatever, but it’s my home brother, it’s the temple that I constructed),” Rohit Sharma had said before telling Nayar: “Bhai mera kya mera to ye last hai (brother, this is my last anyway)”.
Rohit Sharma to leave Mumbai Indians?
Given the way things unfolded during IPL 2024, there’s widespread speculation that Rohit Sharma may not be part of the team in the next season. While the future remains uncertain, Rohit Sharma’s reaction to a fan’s comment has only intensified the speculation.
The incident occurred in Colombo as he was heading out of the dressing room for a practice session. While descending the stairs, a fan remarked, “this time no Mumbai Indians.” Rohit Sharma’s response was a telling smile, which seemed to suggest that his tenure with the Mumbai-based franchise might be drawing to a close.
In the meantime, Rohit Sharma is set to return to the field on Saturday (August 2) as he captains India in the first ODI against Sri Lanka. This match will mark his first competitive appearance since the T20 World Cup final in June.
