Having secured an exceptional six IPL titles – five as the captain of Mumbai Indians and one as a player for Deccan Chargers – Rohit Sharma’s level of success is unparalleled. Once again, he finds himself just two victories away from scripting another illustrious chapter in his remarkable journey.
At the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Ashish Nehra warmly greeted Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma with the lighthearted remark, “Aa gaya, aa gaya” (Here he comes). Following the completion of Gujarat Titans’ practice session, the support staff relaxed on the greens as a light drizzle prompted the ground-staff to cover the entire square while ensuring the necessary arrangements were in place for Mumbai Indians’ session.
Rohit and Nehra engaged in light-hearted banter, exchanging jokes and sharing laughter. Accompanied by three side-arms and a leg-spinner from Scotland, Rohit began batting in the gentle rain.
Having arrived in Ahmedabad early morning at 5:30 am after the Eliminator match in Chennai on May 24, the Mumbai Indians team opted to rest at the luxurious Taj Skyline property. However, Rohit, who hasn’t experienced an ideal season with the bat, desired to have a practice session. Without any bowlers from the Mumbai Indians’ camp present, Rohit was joined by Thomas Jones, the leg-spinner from Scotland, loaned by the Gujarat Titans. During the 45-minute session, numerous shots were dispatched into the stands, some miscued, and different bats were utilized. Notably, Rohit’s determination and intent were evident as he prepared himself for the upcoming knockout fixture.
There was more than meets the eye in Ahmedabad. A player with an impressive tally of six IPL titles, five as the captain of Mumbai Indians and one as a player with Deccan Chargers, was putting in the extra effort to establish a lasting legacy in a format where his success stands unmatched. His opponent, led by Hardik Pandya, has also secured five titles, four with Mumbai Indians and one as captain of Gujarat Titans last season. Moreover, there is the possibility of facing off against MS Dhoni, who boasts four IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings, in the final.
While Rohit Sharma may not have exhibited the same batting dominance in the format as Virat Kohli, his trophy cabinet speaks volumes, with six IPL titles and his participation in the 2007 Indian team that clinched the inaugural T20 World Cup. Initially, Mumbai Indians weren’t taken seriously in the first half of IPL 2023, and injuries to key bowlers only added to their challenges. However, they find themselves just one victory away from another IPL final appearance, with Rohit continuing to enhance his reputation as a formidable leader.
