The legendary batter just dropped a bombshell about his IPL 2026 plans. The former captain has made his position crystal clear. He refuses to be used as a substitute anymore!
This decision comes after the T20 World Cup 2026 wraps up. Most Indian cricketers will start preparing for the next IPL season soon. The veteran wants things done his way this time around.
The former captain led his franchise to five IPL titles. His trophy cabinet speaks volumes about his contributions over the years. But last season changed everything for him.
Rohit Sharma’s Strong Message to His Franchise
Rohit Sharma sent a bold warning to the management recently. Reports say he wants to play every match as a full-time player. No more sitting out during bowling phases!
Last season told a difficult story. The franchise used him primarily as an Impact player throughout the season. He would enter for batting but get substituted out later.
The stats weren’t bad at all though. He scored 418 runs across 15 innings. The opener averaged 29.85 with 4 half-centuries. His highest score was 81 runs brilliantly.
His strike rate stood at 149.28 with 41 fours and 22 sixes. Ryan Rickelton scored 388 runs in 14 innings. The pair worked well together at the top.
Why the Impact Player Role Bothers Him
Being an Impact player limits a cricketer’s involvement significantly. You can’t contribute during fielding properly. Your role gets reduced to just batting for those overs.
The legendary opener issued another bold warning about wanting full involvement. He believes his experience helps beyond just batting. His fielding and advice matter during crucial moments.
This stance mirrors what Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni have done. Both legends consistently play full matches rather than being substitutes. They understand staying on the field throughout.
What This Means for the Season
The franchise retained the Mumbai Indians’ star before the mini-auction. That shows they still value his contributions immensely. Now, the Mumbai Indians must decide how to use him.
If they approve his request, something interesting happens. Rohit Sharma would share the field with the current captain Hardik Pandya. The captain and the former captain playing together could create magic!
Fans are already speculating about this combination online. Could their partnership boost the team’s performance significantly? Only time will tell how management responds to his bold warning now!
