 "Rohit Sharma has failed to get going in the IPL 2025 season with scores of 0 and 8. Image: AFP")
Rohit Sharma’s struggles in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have become a growing concern for the Mumbai Indians (MI). Once a consistent run-scorer, the former MI captain has been unable to make a significant impact with the bat in recent seasons. His poor form continued in IPL 2025 , with scores of 0 and 8 in his first two matches, leaving MI in a precarious position after back-to-back defeats.
A worrying trend for Rohit Sharma
Rohit’s decline in IPL has not been an overnight occurrence. Although he is currently the third-highest run-scorer in the league, his numbers over the past few seasons reflect a steady drop in his performances. While he did manage a century in IPL 2024 and played with a better strike rate than before, his overall returns have been inconsistent, with only one other fifty in 14 matches.
2025: 2 matches*, 8 runs, 4.00 average, 100.00 strike rate
2024: 14 matches, 417 runs, 32.08 average, 150.00 strike rate
2023: 16 matches, 332 runs, 20.75 average, 132.80 strike rate
2022: 14 matches, 268 runs, 19.14 average, 120.18 strike rate
2021: 13 matches, 381 runs, 29.30 average, 127.42 strike rate
In MI’s opening match against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings, Rohit was dismissed for a duck by Khaleel Ahmed, failing to give his team a solid start. MI eventually lost the match by 4 wickets. Against the Gujarat Titans, he managed just 8 runs before being bowled by Mohammed Siraj. MI lost by 36 runs. These early dismissals have put additional pressure on MI’s middle order, which has struggled too.
Does Rohit still deserve a place in the XI?
With other batters waiting for opportunities, questions are being raised about whether MI should persist with Rohit at the top. Having already retired from T20Is after leading India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title, his future in the IPL is also under scrutiny. His performances in the coming matches could determine his place in MI’s XI for the rest of IPL 2025. However, it is important to note that Rohit has won a record five IPL titles for MI, and the franchise is unlikely to write him off just yet.
Mumbai Indians will return to the Wankhede Stadium for their next match against Kolkata Knight Riders on 31 March. The team desperately needs a win to avoid slipping further in the points table, and all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma to deliver.