Rohit Sharma’s IPL struggles: A strategic misfit or temporary slump?

Mumbai Indians (MI) would have hoped to benefit from Rohit Sharma’s batting reinvention at the T20 World Cup when it shelled out Rs. 16 crore to retain the 37-year-old ahead of the mega auction.

In 11 T20s for India in 2024, Rohit struck 378 runs at an average of more than 42 and a strike rate of 160. In the eight games in the World Cup, Rohit tallied 256 runs, the highest for India, at a strike rate of 156. The captain setting the tempo at the top was instrumental in India winning the title.

However, expecting a seamless transition from international success to Indian Premier League (IPL) dominance might have been a flawed assumption. The conditions, match-ups, and pressure dynamics differ significantly. While Rohit flourished in the slower World Cup conditions, IPL tracks have often demanded a different tempo. Pairing Rohit with Ryan Rickelton, who scored at a rate of 162 in SA20 for MI Cape Town, was the best shot at embracing the aggressive batting template.

The move, however, is yet to bring the desired yields. The former MI captain has scored just 21 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 105. Rohit’s scratchy 12-ball 13 runs at his home, Wankhede Stadium, on a pitch suited for batting would only compound the side’s worries.

Rohit’s early departures this season have seen Mumbai Indians’ average for the first-wicket partnership plummet to 18, its lowest since 2016 and a significant drop from last season’s average of 40.

MI batting coach Kieron Pollard urged to not read too much into ‘a couple of low scores’ from Rohit. “I’ve played alongside Rohit since under-19 cricket and he has etched his name in history. He has performed in different situations, different formats of the game. He’s a legend of the game in his own right. He has earned the right to now enjoy his cricket and not be pressurized in certain situations. So, let’s not judge [him] on a couple of low scores,” Pollard said before MI faced Lucknow Super Giants.

Rohit’s problems, however, have been brewing for some time in the IPL. Since 2023, Rohit has scored 770 runs in 32 innings at an average of 24.83 and a strike rate of 141. Out of the 20 batters who have opened the innings at least 15 times during this period, only Prithvi Shaw and Wriddhiman Saha have averaged worse. Among this group, Rohit sits in the bottom five in terms of balls per dismissal (17.5) and has the highest dot-ball percentage (44.5).

His averages during the 2022 and 2023 seasons stood at 19.14 and 22.13, respectively. While his 2024 average improved to 32.17, a significant portion of that was influenced by his unbeaten 105 against Chennai Super Kings. Without that essay, Rohit averaged 24 through that season with just two fifty-plus scores in 14 innings. However, dismissing this knock entirely could be misleading. Rather than isolating it, it would be more insightful to examine why he was able to construct that innings and whether MI has created the right conditions for him to do so again.

Mumbai Indians’ Rohit Sharma in action during the IPL match against Chennai Super Kings at Wankhede Stadium in 2024.
| Photo Credit:
THE HINDU

These are a long way off his average of 48, which he registered in 2016 when he became the mainstay at the top for MI. Rohit is yet to better his tally of 489 runs which he recorded that season.

A part of Rohit’s problem lies in not sticking around at the crease for long enough. Among batters who have opened at least 15 times over the last two seasons, Rohit has been removed inside the PowerPlay 20 times, the joint-most with Saha.

Throwing caution to the wind in the IPL has led to a spike in his strike rate, but reduced his time spent at the crease.

For instance, Rohit scored at a strike rate of 158 in the PowerPlay in 2024 and was dismissed every 23 balls with an average of 36. In comparison, in 2021, his best year in the PowerPlay, he scored at just 130 but lasted 41 balls per wicket and averaged nearly 53. Similarly, in 2016, Rohit scored at a strike rate of 139 but averaged nearly 48 and faced 34 deliveries per wicket.

However, with MI’s shift to a more aggressive approach, it is worth questioning whether the franchise is optimising Rohit’s strengths. In previous seasons, he balanced aggression with anchoring roles, a blend that brought MI consistent success. By attempting to mirror templates like SRH’s ultra-aggressive batting, MI may be pushing Rohit into a high-risk role that doesn’t align with his historical strengths.

Lower number of deliveries faced has also impacted his scores. Rohit has notched up just five scores of fifty or more over the last three seasons. Rohit spending time at the crease has benefited MI. As an opener, Rohit has played 30 deliveries or more in an innings on 25 occasions and MI has won 14 of these games.

But changing its approach is not on the cards for Mumbai. “The only thing set in stone are the first two guys that walk out to open the innings,” Pollard said about his team combination, ending any speculation about moving Rohit in the batting order.

Even Rohit said in an interview to MI that he had accepted the shift in his role at the top of the order, especially since handing over the reins to Hardik Pandya. Yet, the key question remains: is MI’s batting strategy playing to Rohit’s strengths, or is he being forced into a mould that doesn’t suit him anymore? The five-time champion will now hope he can replicate the output he managed with the national team.