Are Rohit Sharma and Jofra Archer fit to play vs RCB? MI head Mark Boucher coach gives major update

Boucher announced that Rohit Sharma is 100 per cent ready to turn up for MI in their all-important match against RCB.

Rohit Sharma will lead Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2023 opener against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, confirmed MI head coach Mark Boucher. There were reports of the MI captain being in danger of missing out on Sunday's fixture after he missed the pre-season captain's meet in Ahmedabad on Friday due to poor health. Boucher, however, erased all doubts over Rohit's fitness and announced that the Indian captain is 100 per cent ready to turn up for MI in their all-important match against RCB.

Bengaluru: Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma after the practice session ahead of the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, Saturday, April 1, 2023. (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)(PTI04_01_2023_000233A)(PTI)

"Yes, Rohit is fit. He has trained the last two days and is 100 per cent ready to go. I think he didn't feel particularly well that morning and just as a precaution, we told him to stay at home," Boucher said at the pre-match press conference on Saturday.

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"There are a lot of photo shoots the boys have had to do. He's not had a lot of time to himself so we thought it was better," he added.

In Jasprit Bumrah's absence, England pacer Jofra Archer, who himself is coming off a long injury layoff, will lead the MI pace attack. "Jofra is good, he is 100 per cent ready for tomorrow. He didn't train today, it was an optional training session. He felt that he was ready to put the spikes on tomorrow. We are very happy with his progression since he has been with us. He'll be playing tomorrow."

The five-time champions had a poor last season where they finished 10th but Boucher doesn't want to look back as he wasn't in charge back then.

"I can't comment too much about last year I wasn't there. But we have spoken about it, some new talents in the team, new energy, some guys who have done really well in the previous IPLs."They understand that last year we didn't have a good season but things can change very quickly, energies have been good, we are in a good space.

"If we get off to good start great, if we don't we'll definitely not panic. The IPL is not won in April or March, it's won in May. Hopefully, we can get a good start and get some momentum."