Can Rohit Sharma break his playoff jinx? MI face big questions ahead of Eliminator

India Today

4 days ago

Mumbai Indians (MI) will take on Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Eliminator fixture of the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) on Friday, May 30 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh. The Hardik Pandya-led side lost their momentum right at the end of the league stage as they lost two out of their last three matches and missed the golden chance to finish in the top two spots on the points table.advertisementAs a result, MI find themselves in a must-win situation from here onwards and will need their big players to step up. In the face of their biggest challenge, who else can the five-time champions turn up to than their former skipper, Rohit Sharma, who has led them to all of their five trophies.Rohit has had a mixed season so far as he has scored 329 runs from 13 innings at an average of 27.41 and a strike rate of 147.53 with three half centuries to his name. He began the season with a duck against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and had a string of low scores in his first seven innings.
However, he found his form in the repeat fixture against CSK, scoring a match-winning 76* (45). The opening batter further notched up fifties against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals, but the last three fixtures saw Rohit return to his dismal form, signalling alarming concerns for MI heading into the playoffs.advertisementThe former MI captain doesn't have a memorable record in the playoffs, having scored just 316 runs from 21 innings at an average of 15.80 and a strike rate of 108.96 with just two fifties to his name. Both of Rohit's half centuries have come in the all-important final for MI, in the 2015 and 2020 editions respectively.Rohit's past heroics in IPL playoffsHe scored a blistering 50 (26) against CSK in the 2015 final and was adjudged Player of the Match for leading MI to their second title. He also scored a brilliant 68 (51) in the 2020 final, helping his team chase down 157 and become the first team to win five IPL trophies.Hence, Rohit does know how to stand up for his team at crucial stages and take them over the line. His recent performances in the knockout stages of the ICC events have also proven his worth as a match winner. Since the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rohit has scored 264 runs from six innings in the knockout stages at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 122.22 with two half-centuries to his name.He played a fiery innings of 47 (29) in the semi-final of the World Cup 2023 and further hit 57 (39) in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024 against England. Later in the Champions Trophy 2025 final, Rohit had a Player of the Match performance of 76 (83).A spicy pitch in Mullanpur awaits RohitadvertisementHence, Rohit has answered his critics in style and has turned up for India when needed the most in the past 17 months. In the Eliminator fixture against Gujarat Titans, MI will desperately need Rohit to get them off to a good start, especially in the absence of Ryan Rickelton, who has flown back to South Africa to prepare for the World Test Championship Final 2023.Former India cricketer-turned commentator Aakash Chopra has also backed Rohit to go big in the playoffs, mentioning his immense experience and ability to score in crucial matches. "He can do it only with the bat because he is no more the captain. You can't tell him now to run the team well. If you look at his numbers -- 329 runs, it's been a mixed bag. After years, he scored two successive fifties, but the truth is in the last four (three) matches, he has not scored big. In the business end of the tournament, that form hasn't been in display," said Chopra on JioHotstar.advertisement"In the last match, he played a little out of character. He was not even looking to hit at a good rate, if you leave out one over. But, there is hope. Whatever we say about Kohli, it's true for Rohit too: Cometh the hour, cometh the man. At least Kohli will get one more opportunity, Rohit has only one chance now to prove his worth. There is no Ryan Rickelton and there is no Will Jacks. If you don't have two match-winners, the responsibility will fall on the big pillar in the building and that's Rohit," he added.If the Qualifier 1 game between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings was any indication, the surface in Mullanpur will have some bite in it for the seamers. It makes Rohit's role all the more crucial as the team will bank on him to put the bowlers under pressure early on and not let them settle.In the past Rohit has helped MI to script remarkable comebacks in the IPL with both his shrewd leadership and batting skills. On Friday, MI will once again require their 'Hitman' to strike and take them one step closer to a historic sixth title.Stay updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don't miss a moment!