Circa 2021 was the annus mirabilis for Rohit Sharma the Test cricketer. He played four matches in England and scored 368 runs at an average of 52.57, including a century and a couple of half-centuries. The series marked Rohit’s elevation to a different level as an opener in red-ball cricket.
The IPL had to be postponed that year due to Covid-19. It would eventually move to the United Arab Emirates. The India players took a direct flight from Manchester to Dubai to enter the IPL bubble.
In his first practice session for MI, coming from the Test series, Rohit needed a shake-up from his coach, Mahela Jayawardene. The opener was still so immersed into the longer format mode that even at the MI nets he was shouldering arms to deliveries outside off stump. “Hello, you are preparing for the IPL,” Jayawardene needed to serve a reminder to his captain. The reality dawned on Rohit.
Apologies for an elongated prelude, but it is a deliberate attempt to capture the chemistry between Rohit and Jayawardene. At a time when the IPL remains the former’s tenuous link to T20 cricket, such understanding between the head coach and the ex-skipper is essential, especially in the cut-throat world of franchise cricket.
Rohit, like Virat Kohli, has reached a stage of his career when his cricket is 100 per cent mental. The batting part takes care of itself. It’s imperative to be in the right mental space. Rohit, at this moment in time, is completely at peace with himself.
Earlier this month, Rohit had an interaction with my editor-in-chief Boria Majumdar at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). It was an off-the-record conversation and the only thing I can mention here is the sukoon (peace) he spoke about. He has moved on from the period of uncertainty that saw him lose his Test and ODI captaincy.
The fire still burns in the belly. He has made winning a 50-over World Cup his holy grail. He came so close in 2023. Now, he will have to wait until 2027. Going by his current form and fitness, any question on whether he would last another 18 months as a cricketer at the highest level would be out of place.
The hunger has driven Rohit to walk the extra mile even in the twilight of his career. He has shed 15 kilos, and is looking leaner, fitter and younger. The trademark pull shot is back, as he is once again making the pivot swiftly. A pull for a six against Vaibhav Arora got him going in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. After that he was in his element. An artist was painting on the Wankhede easel.
Being at the right headspace formed the bedrock of a sublime 78 off 38 balls. One must take into account the preparation factor as well. “Rohit Sharma seems to age like fine wine,” Jayawardene said at the post-match press conference after MI’s six-wicket win. “He last played a T20 game in June 2025, (and) the shots he played tonight…This is fabulous to watch.”
The preparation part was mentioned as well. “He was fresh,” said Jayawardene. “I think after so many years, I have had him from day one of the camp. He played some really good practice games.We had a lot of simulations for him, especially to get him going. I was quite happy the way he was hitting the ball.”
A full-house at Wankhede surrendered to the spirit of the night that saw Rohit rolling back the years. “A thing of beauty is joy forever” — John Keats.
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