Rohit Sharma makes MI look a different team; his absence vs presence exposed: ‘Where was this Mumbai Indians?’

Tiwary was full of praise for Rohit following his impactful return, highlighting the ease and fluency with which the veteran opener went about his innings.

Updated on: May 5, 2026, 11:52:53 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Rohit Sharma marked his return from injury in emphatic fashion. Back in the XI after a brief spell out with a hamstring issue, the swashbuckling opener smashed 84 in a daunting 229-run chase, guiding Mumbai Indians to a much-needed win and snapping their losing streak. The former MI skipper had missed the last five matches, and with the team under pressure and their campaign hanging in the balance, he rose to the occasion when it mattered most. In a do-or-die situation, Rohit set the tone right from the start, taking on the bowlers with authority while ensuring the chase never drifted off course.

Rohit Sharma scored 84 runs on his return from injury. (PTI)

The 39-year-old brought up his second fifty of the season in style, finishing with six fours and seven towering sixes in a fluent 44-ball knock. He looked in complete control, mixing caution with aggression and picking his moments to attack. Rohit found solid support in Ryan Rickelton, whose explosive 83 off just 32 balls laid the perfect platform for the chase at the Wankhede Stadium. The duo stitched together a massive 143-run opening stand, effectively taking the game away from Lucknow Super Giants and putting Mumbai firmly in control early in the innings.

Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary was full of praise for Rohit Sharma following his commanding return, highlighting the ease and fluency with which the veteran opener went about his innings despite a lengthy layoff due to injury.

"He was playing in a free-flowing manner, it did not seem that he was playing a match after a long time. Whenever we used to see an opposition batter playing well, we used to say that he has come after practicing in the dressing room, and Rohit Sharma has played an innings just like that," Manoj Tiwary said on Cricbuzz.

Also Read - Rohit Sharma’s ‘greatness’ acknowledged as Rickelton bows to ex-skipper after MI break losing run: 'We’re fortunate'

“Shows the value of Rohit Sharma in MI”

He further underlined the impact of Rohit Sharma’s return, pointing out how the veteran opener’s presence transformed the look and confidence of the Mumbai Indians unit after a difficult run without him.

"All of the fans who were watching this must be thinking, where was this Mumbai Indians? This shows the value of Rohit Sharma in the side. He was not playing the last few matches, and everyone was feeling his absence, right? You saw the difference of Rohit Sharma being there and not being there today," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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