IPL 2024: Australian legend underlines Rohit Sharma’s importance to Mumbai Indians’ fans despite torrid start

It has not been a happy start to the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Mumbai Indians as they sit at the bottom of the table after three defeats in the opening three matches of the tournament. While two defeats were close calls, Mumbai were beaten in a one-sided affair in their first home game where new captain Hardik Pandya faced backlash from the fans. During the match against Rajasthan Royals, Rohit was given good backing by the fans despite his golden duck. Reflecting on this, former Australia player Adam Gilchrist highlighted the importance of Rohit who has a special place in MI fans.

Adam Gilchrist highlights Rohit’s importance

"It shows you the status that Rohit Sharma has in the game there. The mysterious manner with which it all played out initially, the pace with which it happened, everyone was stunned with Mumbai getting Hardik Pandya away from Gujarat and then Rohit relinquishing captaincy. It's an odd one. But this is the nature of the beast in the IPL. The tribalism and intensity within fan bases. It's hard to replicate anywhere else with that level of intensity," Gilchrist said on the Club Prarie Fire podcast.

Hardik was controversially handed the Mumbai Indians’ captaincy in December having made a swift return to the franchise on the trade window deadline day in November. His appointment raised eyebrows in the MI camp, as he tookover from Rohit who had led the franchise to five IPL titles previously.

Mumbai lost two close encounters at the start of the IPL 2024 campaign losing to Gujarat Titans (GT) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). In Hardik’s debut match as skipper MI lost by six runs to his former side while despite scoring 246 against SRH, they were second best by 31 runs in Hyderabad.

In their third match of the season, also their first on home turf, Mumbai were beaten convincingly by Rajasthan Royals. They lost by six wickets in the one-sided contest which paved the way for their third defeat of the campaign.

Mumbai Indians’ next five matches

Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals, April 7

Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, April 11

Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings, April 14

Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians, April 18

Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, April 22