Rohit Sharma may not feature in Mumbai Indians’ starting XI against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday but the experienced opener is expected to play as an Impact Substitute. The decision to leave Rohit out of the starting lineup comes amid concerns over both his form and a persistent knee injury. The 37-year-old has struggled for runs in the 2025 IPL season, with scores of 0, 8, 13, 17, 18, and 26 in his first six innings. This dip in form raised questions about his place in the playing XI. Rohit’s last appearance against Sunrisers Hyderabad saw him score a season-best 26, a match that held emotional significance as he was felicitated by BCCI President Roger Binny for completing 18 seasons in the IPL — a rare achievement.
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In the match against CSK, MI captain Hardik Pandya opted to bowl first after winning the toss at Wankhede, a ground known to favor chasing teams, especially with dew likely to play a factor. With Rohit initially benched, the onus will be on MI's top order to perform. If the situation calls for experience and acceleration during the chase, Rohit is likely to be brought in as an Impact Player.
With Mumbai Indians currently outside the top four, every match is crucial for them. For a serious comeback, Rohit’s contributions with the bat will be essential. While his role as an Impact Substitute tonight remains uncertain, fans will be hoping the "Hitman" still has some fireworks left in him.
Playing XI:
Mumbai Indians: Ryan Rickelton (wicketkeeper), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (captain), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashwani Kumar.
Chennai Super Kings: Shaik Rasheed, Rachin Ravindra, Ayush Mhatre, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar, Jamie Overton, MS Dhoni (captain and wicketkeeper), Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana.
Impact Substitutes:
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Corbin Bosch, Raj Bawa, Satyanarayana Raju, Robin Minz.
Chennai Super Kings: Anshul Kamboj, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Sam Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin.