Rohit Sharma Finds Form as Mumbai Indians Clinch Thrilling Victory Over Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023
NEW DELHI: The atmosphere outside the Arun Jaitley Stadium was electric on Sunday evening, with vendors on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg lamenting the sold-out stock of Delhi Capitals (DC) jerseys. ‘DC ke saarein khatam ho gaye hain, sahab,’ sighed a frustrated seller, a sentiment echoing the team’s unbeaten streak in the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). With DC gear nowhere to be found, neutral fans opted for the iconic blue of Mumbai Indians (MI), sporting jerseys with ‘Rohit’ emblazoned on the back.
Inside the stadium, the buzz intensified as the announcer confirmed Rohit Sharma‘s inclusion in the MI playing XI after DC won the toss and elected to bat. The crowd roared in approval, eager to see if the MI captain could break free from his recent string of low scores—0, 8, 13, and 17 in his last four outings.
Opening the innings alongside Ryan Rickelton, Rohit faced Mitchell Starc from the Gautam Gambhir Stand end. Initially cautious, he played with soft hands, managing just two runs off his first two balls. However, Rickelton’s explosive start seemed to ignite a spark in the veteran. In Starc’s second over, Rohit unleashed his trademark flair, smashing 14 runs in a 19-run over, reminiscent of his iconic T20 World Cup Super 8s knock against Australia in 2022.
Yet, the resurgence was short-lived. Mukesh Kumar’s pace unsettled him in the next over, and young leggie Vipraj Nigam, just 20 years old, ended his stay with a sharp delivery that led to an LBW dismissal after a review. Rohit walked off with 18 off 12 balls, head bowed, adding to his frustrating season tally. Despite the brief innings, there’s a slow upward trend in his scores, and fans will hope this is a sign of bigger things to come.
The day before the match, Rohit’s determination was evident at the Arun Jaitley nets. While MI arrived for training at 5:30 PM and DC wrapped up early, Rohit extended his session well past the scheduled 8:30 PM finish. With his knee strapped, speculation arose about his fitness, but he geared up for an intense 30-minute session of throwdowns—eschewing live bowlers entirely. Even so, the trademark big hits were absent, with none clearing the boundary, a subtle hint of the struggles he’s battling to overcome.
Despite Rohit’s early exit, MI’s batting firepower shone through. Ryan Rickelton (41), Suryakumar Yadav (40), Tilak Varma (59), and an unbeaten Naman Dhir (38*) propelled MI to a formidable 205/5. In response, DC’s chase was anchored by an in-form Karun Nair (89), but MI’s impact sub Karn Sharma turned the game with a match-defining 3/36, dismissing Nair at a crucial juncture.
The climax was nothing short of cinematic. With the match hanging in the balance, MI executed three successive run-outs, bowling out DC for 193 in 19 overs. The blue wave of celebration engulfed the stadium as Mumbai secured their second win in six games this season. For Rohit, who showed glimpses of agility before making way for Karn Sharma, this victory might just be the catalyst needed to reignite his form.
As the IPL 2023 campaign progresses, the question remains: Can this thrilling win spark a turnaround for Mumbai Indians, a team with a storied legacy of five titles? And more importantly, will Rohit Sharma—with over 6,000 IPL runs and a reputation as one of the tournament’s greatest batsmen—finally break free from his lean patch? The road ahead promises more drama, and the cricketing world watches with bated breath.