Virender Sehwag’s Blunt Verdict: Time for Rohit Sharma to Retire from IPL?
In the high-octane world of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where every match can redefine a player’s legacy, Rohit Sharma finds himself at a crossroads. The Mumbai Indians icon, who has steered the franchise to five IPL titles, is grappling with a prolonged slump in form during the 2025 season, drawing sharp criticism from former India opener Virender Sehwag. With scores of 0, 8, 13, 17, 18, and 28 in his first six innings, Rohit’s struggles have sparked debates about his future in the format.
Against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Rohit was introduced as an Impact Player by skipper Hardik Pandya. However, the veteran batter could muster only 26 runs before falling to a well-executed delivery from SRH captain Pat Cummins. This latest failure has left Rohit with just 82 runs in six outings, at a dismal average of 13.66, prompting questions about whether the 38-year-old can rediscover his mojo.
Sehwag, known for his no-nonsense commentary, didn’t hold back while addressing Rohit’s form on Cricbuzz. “If you look at Rohit’s IPL numbers over the last 10 years, he’s crossed 400 runs only once. He’s not the player chasing 500 or 700 runs every season. When he became India’s captain, he spoke about taking risks in the powerplay, making sacrifices for the team. But at the end of the day, if you’re not performing, it’s your legacy that suffers,” Sehwag remarked. In a scathing statement, he added, “Ab uska jaane ka time aa gaya (It’s time for him to go). Before retiring, you’d want to leave fans with memories to cherish, not moments that make them wonder why he’s still playing.”
Sehwag also offered tactical advice, pointing out a recurring flaw in Rohit’s game. “He’s been getting out to the pull shot against back-of-length deliveries too often. Why not decide to avoid that shot for an entire innings? Take 10 extra balls if needed, but give yourself a chance. Someone needs to tell him to play normal cricket. When I played, legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, or Sourav Ganguly would guide me. Who’s advising Rohit now?” he questioned.
Amidst the criticism, Mumbai Indians managed to secure a gritty four-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, thanks to a disciplined bowling effort led by Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. All-rounder Will Jacks emerged as the game-changer, claiming two crucial wickets and scoring a match-defining 36 runs to guide MI to their second consecutive win. This triumph marked Mumbai’s third victory of the season, boosting their tally to six points and elevating them to seventh on the IPL 2025 standings, breaking away from the logjam of teams stuck at four points. Sunrisers Hyderabad, meanwhile, remain in a precarious position with just four points.
Rohit Sharma’s current form is a stark contrast to his illustrious IPL career, where he has amassed over 6,000 runs since the league’s inception in 2008, including a highest score of 109 not out. Known as the “Hitman” for his ability to dominate attacks, Rohit’s leadership has been instrumental in transforming Mumbai Indians into the most successful IPL franchise. Однако, with younger talents emerging and the pressure mounting, Sehwag’s blunt words raise a pertinent question—has the time come for Rohit to bid adieu to the IPL and preserve his towering legacy?
As the IPL 2025 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma to see if he can silence his critics with the bat or if Sehwag’s prophecy will ring true. For now, the debate rages on: Should one of India’s greatest white-ball cricketers step away from the format that made him a household name, or does he still have one last masterpiece left in him?