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Not Hardik! Rohit Sharma Dons Captain’s Hat With Fiery Pep Talk Ahead Of KKR Clash In IPL 2025

Soumyajit Dutta

Rohit Sharma [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]Rohit Sharma [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]

Ahead of their high-stakes IPL 2025 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Mumbai Indians (MI) sparked intrigue by omitting Rohit Sharma from their Playing XI. However, the franchise’s former skipper showcased his leadership DNA, delivering a rousing pre-match pep talk to teammates at Wankhede.

The image of an animated Rohit rallying the huddle, despite his exclusion, went viral, underscoring his enduring influence even as Hardik Pandya helms the side.

Rohit Charges MI With Fiery Pep Talk

MI opted to bowl first after Pandya won the toss on a pitch favouring chasing sides, sidelining Rohit Sharma strategically. The 37-year-old is set to enter as an Impact Player during the chase, balancing workload management with tactical flexibility.

The decision also grants Rohit a brief respite after MI’s gruelling opening fixtures. Yet, his pre-match demeanour reflected anything but relaxation. In the viral clip, he is seen emphatically addressing players stressing fielding intensity and situational awareness.

His fiery address, captured in the viral snapshot, highlighted his commitment to MI’s campaign, blending mentorship with unflinching passion.

Mumbai Look To Break Losing Streak

Mumbai Indians made three changes to their lineup, recalling all-rounder Will Jacks, pacer Ashwani Kumar, and spinner Vignesh Puthur in place of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Robin Minz, and Satyanarayana Raju. Rohit’s absence from the starting XI raised eyebrows, but the move aligns with MI’s plan to deploy him as a specialist opener during the chase. 

With Wankhede's dew-laden evenings favouring batters in the second innings, Rohit’s role as Impact Player could maximize his explosive batting against tiring KKR bowlers.