Rohit Sharma could not have featured in T20 cricket for practically a yr, however as he gears up for one more Indian Premier League season, Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene is anticipating a “newer model” of his senior professional.
“He (Rohit) has completed a number of work behind the scenes. He had a number of ability work completed within the final week. He joined us on the primary day of our coaching camp. He appeared superb within the nets. This can be a newer model of Rohit as properly — a lot fitter and really dedicated. So, I’m wanting ahead to him main us from the highest,” Jayawardene mentioned on the sidelines of the ultimate of the MI Junior on Tuesday.
Rohit, who retired from T20Is in 2024 after main India to the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2024 title, stays a key determine for Mumbai. Within the earlier IPL season, he scored 329 runs in 13 matches.
Whereas Jayawardene hopes for Rohit to ship, he isn’t involved about India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav’s kind. Regardless of the group’s success, Suryakumar endured a comparatively quiet marketing campaign, scoring 242 runs.
“I feel Sky [Suryakumar] will not be apprehensive an excessive amount of about his kind. He’s a category operator,” Jayawardene mentioned. “He’s at all times going to get there. He contributed when it mattered. Sure, consistency is one thing that he would need to enhance. However I feel main the group the best way he led the group and maintaining the whole lot collectively. There have been a few powerful choices they needed to make through the season and within the World Cup, which Sky did. Hats off to him. I’m positive he’ll have break and be part of the camp with a smiley face,” he mentioned.
The previous Sri Lanka captain additionally reserved particular reward for Jasprit Bumrah.
“ Jassi is at all times a particular participant and it’s simply the work ethic he places in and the best way he thinks concerning the sport that additionally issues,” he mentioned. “The way in which he executed in essential moments for India within the World Cup was one thing particular. We’ve seen it in Mumbai [Indians] ranks many occasions and having intently labored with him, I understand how a lot pondering goes behind these executions and what he wished to do. So, I’m fairly pleased for him.”
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As Jayawardene interacted with younger cricketers after the MI Junior closing, he additionally burdened the significance of values and expertise identification.
“A technique is to get youngsters to play the sport and perceive and play with the suitable values as properly. I feel if we will incorporate that the best way Mumbai performs as properly after which for us to even determine expertise, each girls and boys, I feel this yr additionally they’ve recognized some actually good expertise,” he mentioned.
Mumbai Indians will start its marketing campaign in opposition to Kolkata Knight Riders on the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.
Printed on Mar 17, 2026