Rohit Sharma, the Mumbai Indians’ star batter, has been the subject of intense speculation following his impressive innings of 68 off 38 balls in the team’s final match of the season against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. However, beyond his performance, the buzz surrounding Sharma stems from rumors that this could be his last game in a Mumbai Indians jersey at the Wankhede.
Adding fuel to the fire, senior MI player Piyush Chawla took to Instagram to share a picture of himself with Sharma, captioned ‘Saved the best for the last, One with the Legend @rohitsharma45.’ While some fans interpreted this as a hint of Sharma’s imminent departure, it could also simply refer to the final match of MI’s campaign. Nevertheless, the post has further fueled speculation about Sharma’s future with the franchise.
The speculation surrounding Sharma’s future with MI has been building for some time. Last week, a video went viral showing Sharma expressing frustration with the franchise during a conversation with former Mumbai batter Abhishek Nayar. This incident led to increased conjecture about his possible departure from the team. Former India captain Anil Kumble also hinted that Sharma might leave MI after the 2024 season, suggesting that several teams could be looking for new leadership options.
The 2024 season has been a tumultuous one for the Mumbai Indians, marked by controversies even before the first ball was bowled. The franchise’s decision to replace Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain sparked a significant backlash on social media, with fans expressing their discontent vociferously. The pressure on Pandya to live up to Sharma’s legacy was immense, and his own underwhelming performances throughout the season did little to silence his detractors.
Sharma’s exit from MI would mark the end of an era for the franchise. He has been an integral part of the team’s success over the years, leading them to five IPL titles. His departure would leave a significant void in the team’s batting lineup and leadership structure. However, it remains to be seen whether the rumors of his exit are true, or if he will remain with the Mumbai Indians for the foreseeable future.
