star batsman Rohit Sharma Has surprised the cricket world with a surprising physical transformation since the end of 2025. He lost 11 kg before returning to international cricket in October 2025 against Australia, where he was also the leading run-scorer in the three-match series. He continued his form and is now all set to play for Mumbai Indians in the upcoming 2026 season of the Indian Premier League.
For the past few seasons, MI has used Rohit as an impact option, only exploiting his batting ability under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya. However, the former cricketer Aakash Chopra He believes that the Nagpur-born should not be limited to being used as a substitute, as his cricketing skills can help the Mumbai-based franchise win matches out of difficult fielding conditions.
“Logically, if you are fit, you should play the whole game and not be replaced. Especially when you are batting at the second position, you should not come across as an impactful player. An opening batsman is not used to watching 20 overs of the match from the dugout,” Chopra said during a conversation on Geostar's 'Game Plan – Know Your Team'.
Opening batsmen have a habit of staying on the field, preparing accordingly and then coming out on the field. Rohit Sharma is the fittest, meanest and probably strongest at the moment, so he should remain on the field for the full 40 overs. That's really how Mumbai Indians will be able to make full use of Rohit Sharma,” said the cricketer turned commentator.
Meanwhile, former Mumbai Indians cricketer and veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh Hardik has been urged not to replace Rohit as an impact player during the 2026 season of the cash-rich tournament. The veteran cricketer believes that Rohit's leadership abilities can complement Hardik's captaincy, which can ultimately help MI win a record-breaking sixth title.
“Rohit Sharma has been used as the 12th man who just bats, but I think the kind of leader he is, a player like him should be on the field. In tough matches, when you need to take some decisions, when a captain sometimes needs a shoulder, Rohit Sharma can do that for Hardik Pandya,” Harbhajan said via JioStar.
The Indian Premier League 2026 is all set to begin on March 28, but MI will begin their campaign on the 29th against three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders at their home ground Wankhede Stadium. It will be interesting to see whether MI uses the “fitter” Rohit as a fielder during the upcoming season.
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