‘Rohit Sharma and MI will hurt playoff hopes of many teams’: Gavaskar warns IPL 2026 rivals

NEW DELHI: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes a resurgent Rohit Sharma could dramatically alter the playoff race in IPL 2026, warning that Mumbai Indians now have the firepower to derail multiple teams’ qualification hopes.

Rohit marked his return from injury in emphatic fashion, smashing 84 off 44 balls to lead MI to a stunning six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in a record chase of 229 at the Wankhede Stadium. His 143-run opening stand with Ryan Rickelton set the tone for only Mumbai’s third win of the season, but one that could have far-reaching consequences.

Gavaskar, who has tracked Rohit’s evolution closely, pointed to a noticeable shift in the batter’s mindset since stepping away from leadership duties. “I have been watching Rohit Sharma closely over the last year. Ever since he was removed as captain in white-ball cricket and the IPL, he has focused more on his batting,” Gavaskar said on JioStar.

Highlighting Rohit’s consistency, he added, “In the IPL, he usually scores 400 to 500 runs a season, but his knocks are often impactful. He may not have many 80-plus innings, but his 40 to 50-run starts give his team early momentum.”

However, Gavaskar emphasised that Rohit is now aiming for something bigger. “The change in his game is clear: he now wants to bat deeper and leave a bigger impact,” he said, pointing to the authority and range on display during the knock against LSG. “We saw all the typical Rohit Sharma shots — the pull, the drives, the loft over long-off. Against left-arm spinner M Siddharth, he played down the ground, hitting against the turn. We saw a focused Rohit.”

The veteran’s biggest takeaway, though, was the larger impact Rohit could have on the tournament. “If he continues this form, Mumbai Indians will hurt the playoff hopes of many teams in the remaining matches,” he warned.

With MI still outside the top four but building momentum, their late surge could prove decisive in a tightly packed table.

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Jasprit Bumrah under the scanner

While Rohit’s form has lifted MI, Gavaskar expressed concern over Jasprit Bumrah’s struggles this season. “Bumrah is giving his best, but he seems to be trying too many extra things,” he said, pointing to no-balls and a dip in rhythm.

“He is overdoing things, and that’s hurting him. He should go back to basics,” Gavaskar added, while backing the premier pacer to bounce back quickly. “It will take just one or two games — once he starts picking wickets, he’ll be back on track.”