Indian cricket legend and former head coach Anil Kumble believes India skipper and Mumbai Indians star batter Rohit Sharma’s slow start to IPL 2025 was never a concern. Kumble backed the veteran opener to find his rhythm sooner or later. Reflecting on Rohit’s fifty against Chennai Super Kings, Kumble pointed out that the MI opener’s calm and composed nature had already been evident in the season, with several promising starts.
While Rohit didn’t begin IPL 2025 on the best note, with multiple low scores, it was the clash against CSK that saw the “Hitman” come into his own with a match-winning, unbeaten 76 off 45 balls—a knock that earned him the Player of the Match award. Speaking to India Today during JioStar’s media day, Kumble noted how even in Rohit’s earlier outings this season, there were glimpses of good form that always looked like developing as the tournament progressed.
“I don’t think there was any concern with regards to Rohit’s lack of runs. I think his timing and the way he was hitting the ball was always very sweet, even if his innings were very brief early on in the tournament. I think the last innings he played against CSK, you could sense one thing — although he is in a hurry in the powerplay, looking to take on the bowlers, his body language was not really in a hurry,” Kumble said.
“That’s the calmness we assosciate with Rohit when he in the crease and when he is in form. After watching the first couple of balls, I could sense today is the day he could score really big. What was important from not just Mumbai Indians’ perspective, but Rohit’s perspective was that he was really there till the end and ensured he remained he remained not out,” he added.
So far, Rohit Sharma has scored only 185 runs in 8 matches this season, but his return to form has come at a crucial time as MI look to stage a resurgence in IPL 2025.
Even in their most recent clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 22, Rohit, who came in as an impact substitute, provided MI with a solid start in their 143-run chase. Although MI suffered an early setback with the dismissal of his opening partner Ryan Rickelton for 11, Rohit’s presence at the top steadied the innings.
