Rohit Sharma's Indian Premier League 2025 campaign has been a curious mix of promise and struggle.
Across six innings in IPL 2025, the veteran opener has managed just 82 runs at an average of 13.66, with a highest score of 26. Despite a healthy strike rate of 143.85, his inability to spend time at the crease has hurt Mumbai Indians' top-order stability. On average, he has faced under 10 deliveries per innings, often getting dismissed inside the powerplay.

This dip in form comes amidst an already transitional phase for the franchise, with Rohit no longer leading the side. His demotion from captaincy has seen him take up a more flexible role, often featuring as an Impact Substitute. This tactical repositioning aims to extract specific value from his batting without burdening him with leadership duties. Yet, the returns so far have been underwhelming.
With the emergence of young performers and the leadership reins handed over to a new core, questions have naturally emerged regarding Rohit's role in the current set-up. His form hasn't inspired confidence, but his legacy and stature continue to offer him the benefit of the doubt within the franchise. The pressure to perform, however, has clearly intensified.
While fans and critics alike debate whether he should remain in the XI, what cannot be denied is his utility in crunch fixtures. Rohit has not been a prolific scorer in the IPL for some years now, but he boasts a decent record against CSK, where he has so far scored over 800 runs in 29 innings.
Despite all speculation, Rohit Sharma is expected to be part of the Mumbai Indians squad against the Chennai Super Kings. He is likely to open the batting, continuing his role at the top alongside Ryan Rickelton.
The decision to back him appears rooted in both strategic value and the trust that he can turn it around - especially in a high-stakes game like this. Whether he can deliver when it matters most remains the key question for both his critics and his team.
Rohit has been introduced as an Impact Player throughout the IPL 2025, and it is likely to remain the same today. The 37-year-old has been underwhelming so far, and needs a big score soon to keep his place in the side.