 "'Mumbai Indians need boundary runners': Jayawardene explains playing Rohit Sharma as Impact Sub in IPL 2025")
Mumbai Indians (MI) have finally broken their silence on former captain Rohit Sharma, who has led them to five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles, being used as an Impact Sub in the 2025 edition. One of the greatest players in IPL and MI history, Rohit has been relegated to an Impact Sub role in IPL 2025, with him only coming on as a batter in most matches.
MI coach Mahela Jayawardene on Monday finally cleared the issue as he explained why Rohit is only being used as an Impact Player.
Jayawardene explains why Rohit is MI’s Impact Sub
The former Sri Lanka captain Jayawardene explained that 38-year-old Rohit has his own physical limitations and was suffering from a niggle after the Champions Trophy 2025 which led to him being used as an Impact Sub.
Jayawardene clarified that the decision to use Rohit as an Impact Sub was not taken before the start of IPL 2025.
“No, it wasn’t at the start. Obviously, Rohit was on the field in some of the games. But if you look at the composition of the team, most of the guys are doing dual roles. Most of them are bowling. At the same time, some of the venues need boundary runners,” Jayawardene said at the pre-match press conference.
“You need guys with speed and all that. So that also comes into play. And Rohit was also nursing a niggle from the Champions Trophy. So we wanted to make sure that we don’t push him too hard. And we have managed that while batting is the most important thing,” he added.
Jayawardene also added that while Rohit may stay in the dugout during fielding, he constantly keeps communicating and giving his inputs, which underlines his role in the team.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“He’s contributed tremendously whether he’s on the field or not. If you’ve seen, he’s always browning the dugout or he goes in during timeouts. And there’s a lot of communication happening. So actively involved,” said Jayawardene.
“But it’s just overall planning for us to make sure that we have all the bowling options that we need on the field. And we have a lot of senior heads as well. Most likely to be taken out would be (either a Surya or a Tilak or someone like that, a domestic batter. So it’s a hard choice for me. But it’s a good headache to have,” he added.
After a difficult start to the IPL 2025, Rohit has found his form back, scoring three half-centuries in the last four matches. MI are on a six-match winning streak and take on the Gujarat Titans (GT) on Tuesday.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
