Rohit Sharma has been deployed as an Impact Player by Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2025. Mumbai Indians (MI) are gearing up to face Gujarat Titans (GT) in their upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match on Tuesday, May 6. Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans will take on MI at their home ground, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Before this MI vs GT encounter, MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene explained the key reason behind utilizing Rohit Sharma as an Impact Player this season.
Known for his crucial role as an opening batsman, Sharma initially struggled to score, registering low scores in the early matches. This poor form even led to his exclusion from the playing XI. However, the right-handed batter bounced back impressively, smashing consecutive half-centuries upon his return.
In IPL 2025, Sharma has accumulated 293 runs in 10 matches, including an unbeaten 76*. He currently boasts a batting average of 32.56 and a remarkable strike rate of 155.02. So far, the former MI captain has notched three half-centuries in the tournament.
Mahela Jayawardene Explains Why Rohit Sharma Played as an Impact Player in IPL 2025
Rohit Sharma did not feature as an Impact Player in Mumbai Indians’ (MI) recent match against Rajasthan Royals (RR). However, he has been used in this role in several other games during the ongoing tournament. MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene has now shed light on the reason behind this decision, ahead of their clash against Gujarat Titans (GT).
Jayawardene revealed that Sharma has been dealing with a niggle sustained during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which took place before the IPL. The team has been cautious not to strain him, especially during fielding.
“No, it wasn’t planned from the start. Rohit has been on the field for some games. But if you consider the team’s setup, most players are handling dual roles, including bowling and fielding. Some venues require boundary runners, who need to be quick,” Jayawardene explained.
“Rohit was also carrying a niggle from the Champions Trophy, so we prioritized managing his workload. Our main focus has been to ensure his availability for batting,” he added.
Despite the minor injury, Sharma has been a crucial performer for MI in IPL 2025. He is the team’s third-highest run-scorer, trailing only Suryakumar Yadav and his opening partner Ryan Rickelton. Sharma’s recent form has been promising, with a solid half-century (53) in MI’s commanding 100-run victory over RR.
Currently, the five-time champions sit third on the points table with 14 points, having won seven of their 11 matches. They need to secure two more wins from their remaining three games to confirm a spot in the playoffs.
