New Delhi: As Mumbai Indians prepare to face Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2025 Eliminator clash , all eyes are once again on veteran opener Rohit Sharma. While Suryakumar Yadav has carried Mumbai’s batting this season, fans and experts alike are questioning Rohit’s underwhelming form — especially when it comes to the IPL playoffs.
Statistically, Rohit Sharma’s playoff performances have been among the weakest for a player of his stature. Despite being a five-time IPL-winning captain, the numbers tell a different story when it comes to high-pressure knockout games. In 21 playoff matches, Rohit has managed only 316 runs at a meagre average of 15.8 and a strike rate of 108.96. He has only two half-centuries to his name in these crucial fixtures.
In comparison, even Virat Kohli — who was dismissed cheaply against Punjab Kings in the first qualifier on May 29 — has better numbers. Kohli has played 16 playoff innings, scoring 353 runs at a strike rate of 120.89, including a highest score of 70 not out*.
But it’s rising star Shubman Gill who has emerged as the standout among the three. Since making his IPL debut in 2018, Gill has played 10 playoff matches and scored 474 runs at a stellar strike rate of 145.4 — putting both Kohli and Rohit to shame when it comes to delivering in crunch situations.
With a place in Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings on the line, Mumbai Indians will be hoping for Rohit Sharma to rediscover his touch. Unless the senior opener steps up, Mumbai’s chances of reaching the final — and potentially facing a red-hot Royal Challengers Bangalore — may fade quickly.
As pressure mounts, the big question remains: Can Rohit Sharma silence the critics and deliver when it matters the most?
