Former Indian batsman Muhammad Kaif has emphasized Mumbai Indians To make full use of Rohit Sharma on the field, rather than limiting him to an impact player role. Rohit, who captained MI to five Indian Premier League titles, was deployed as an impact player last season. This meant that his involvement was limited to batting, and according to Kaif, the team missed the presence of its veteran campaigner. Despite the reduced role, Rohit still managed a solid campaign with 418 runs in 15 matches, averaging 29.86 at a strike rate of 149.29.
The franchise handed over the captaincy duties. Hardik Pandya Before IPL 2024. While that season ended in disappointment with MI finishing last, the team bounced back strongly in 2025, advancing to Qualifier 2. Kaif believes Rohit’s lesser role last year was a mistake, especially in high-pressure moments. He pointed to the Qualifier 2 clash against Punjab Kings, where MI fell short despite a match-winning innings. Shreyas Iyer. In this situation, Kaif felt that Hardik could benefit from Rohit’s on-field guidance.
Muhammad Kaif Post
In a post shared on X, Kaif stressed that MI should take advantage of a fitter and leaner Rohit, insisting that the veteran cannot be restricted to being just an impact player. He highlighted that Rohit’s presence during crucial stages would not only support Hardik’s captaincy but also positively influence his own batting rhythm. “Mumbai Indians should make full use of a fit and lean Rohit Sharma. He can’t just be an impact player, MI will need him in tough situations. Also, his inputs will be valuable for Hardik Pandya’s captaincy. In Qualifier 2 against Kings XI last year, when Shreyas Iyer needed Rohit’s full support in the next game, Rohit needed his help to beat him,” Kaif wrote. Mumbai Indians begin their IPL 2026 campaign with a home match against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
