Rohit Sharma, who has been a key player for Mumbai Indians (MI) since 2011, was surprisingly left out of the playing XI for their IPL 2025 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). This decision seems to be part of the major changes MI has undergone over the past year.
During the 2024 season, MI made a bold leadership change by appointing Hardik Pandya as the new captain, replacing Rohit Sharma. The move was aimed at revamping the team’s performance after a string of underwhelming seasons. Although Rohit contributed 417 runs in 14 innings at an average of 32.08 and a strike rate of 150.00, MI still finished at the bottom of the points table.
Cricket expert Aakash Chopra speculated that Rohit may have already played his last match for MI, hinting at a possible separation before the 2025 season. This speculation gained traction as Rohit has been consistently missing from MI’s playing XI.
His exclusion from the match against KKR appears to align with MI’s strategy of rebuilding the team and testing new combinations under Pandya’s leadership. While the exact reason for Rohit’s absence hasn’t been officially disclosed, it signals a significant shift in MI’s approach, prioritizing long-term restructuring and success.
As the season unfolds, MI’s decision to move forward without one of their most experienced players marks a new chapter for the franchise, focused on future growth and adaptation.
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