As Mumbai Indians prepare for the upcoming Indian Premier League season, head coach Mahela Jayawardene has expressed strong confidence in veteran opener Rohit Sharma, hinting at a refreshed version of the former captain ready to lead from the front.
Despite not featuring in T20 cricket for nearly a year, Rohit has impressed during the team’s early training sessions. “He has done a lot of work behind the scenes. He had a lot of skill work done in the last week. He joined us on the first day of our training camp. He looked very good in the nets. This is a newer version of Rohit as well — much fitter and very committed. So, I’m looking forward to him leading us from the top,” Jayawardene said.
Rohit, who stepped away from T20 internationals after guiding India to victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, remains a crucial figure for Mumbai Indians. In the previous IPL campaign, he scored 329 runs in 13 matches, underlining his continued importance in the franchise setup.
Jayawardene also addressed the form of Suryakumar Yadav, who had a relatively quiet World Cup despite India’s triumph. The Mumbai Indians skipper managed 242 runs during the tournament but retained the trust of his coach.
“I think Sky is not worried too much about his form. He’s a class operator,” Jayawardene said. “He’s always going to get there. He contributed when it mattered. Yes, consistency is something that he would want to improve. But I think leading the team the way he led the team and keeping everything together… hats off to him.”
Special praise was reserved for pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, whose performances in high-pressure moments continue to set him apart.
“Jassi is always a special player and it’s just the work ethic he puts in and the way he thinks about the game that also matters,” Jayawardene said. “The way he executed in crucial moments for India in the World Cup was something special.”
Beyond the senior squad, Jayawardene also highlighted the importance of nurturing young talent through initiatives like the MI Junior program. “One way is to get kids to play the game and understand and play with the right values as well… they have identified some really good talent,” he noted.
Mumbai Indians will kick off their IPL campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29, with renewed optimism built around experience, leadership, and emerging promise.
