The Mumbai Indians’ (MI) 2024 IPL campaign has taken an unexpected turn, not because of their wins or losses, but due to a controversial decision surrounding one of the franchise’s most iconic players — Rohit Sharma. In a move that has left fans stunned and frustrated, the MI management appears to have reduced Rohit to a permanent Impact Player, a role traditionally used for flexibility but now seemingly being used to sideline the former captain.
As the tournament progresses, Rohit Sharma has been featured consistently as an Impact Player, often brought in during the second innings while not being named in the starting XI. While teams across the league are using the Impact Player rule to strategically swap bowlers and batsmen based on match situations, fans believe that MI’s usage of the rule with Rohit borders on disrespect.
Rohit Sharma, one of the most successful captains in IPL history with five titles under his belt, was replaced as captain before the season began. MI handed the reins to Hardik Pandya, a move that itself sparked mixed reactions among fans. But the decision to not feature Rohit as a regular part of the playing XI has led to growing criticism online and inside stadiums. During MI matches, chants of “Rohit! Rohit!” have echoed from the stands, sometimes even overshadowing the game itself.
Many see this as an erosion of respect for a player who has been the face of the franchise for over a decade. Rohit’s contributions to MI — both as a batsman and leader — are unmatched. Fans argue that even if the franchise is transitioning to a new leadership era, sidelining a senior player like him sends a poor message about loyalty and team culture.
On social media platforms, hashtags like #BringBackRohit, #JusticeForRohit, and #RohitDeservesBetter have been trending almost after every MI match. Frustrated supporters are questioning the team combination, especially when MI has struggled with consistency in their batting order.
“What’s the point of having someone like Rohit Sharma if you’re just going to bench him for ‘strategic reasons’?” tweeted one fan. “This is not a strategy, it’s an insult.”
Cricket analysts are also divided. While some argue that MI is simply experimenting with combinations to optimize their performance under the new Impact Player rule, others believe this could have a deeper psychological impact on the team. Former cricketers have expressed discomfort, suggesting that sidelining a player of Rohit’s stature, even tactically, could hurt team morale.
Despite being used in a limited role, Rohit Sharma has shown flashes of brilliance. His contributions with the bat — even in cameo roles — have reminded fans why he remains one of India’s premier batters. His calm presence and experience are something MI could definitely use on the field, particularly when under pressure.
Interestingly, Hardik Pandya, the current MI skipper, has not addressed the issue publicly, though murmurs of discontent within the dressing room have been hinted at in post-match reports. If MI continues to underperform, the scrutiny on the management’s choices, especially regarding Rohit, is only expected to intensify.
The Impact Player rule was designed to add dynamism to the game, but MI’s current use of it has sparked a debate about whether it is being misused to phase out senior players. With MI’s playoff hopes hanging in the balance, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see if the management reconsiders Rohit’s role.
As the IPL heads into its decisive phase, the question remains — will MI continue with this polarizing strategy, or will the fan pressure and Rohit’s undeniable value force a change in their team combination?
For now, the emotional disconnect between the team and its loyal fanbase is more evident than ever. And at the center of it stands Rohit Sharma — still delivering with the bat, still commanding respect, even if from the sidelines.