Rohit’s tactical brilliance with the ball change and Karn Sharma’s spin tilted the game in MI’s favour, despite alleged resistance from coach Jayawardene
April 15, 2025: In a thrilling IPL 2025 encounter, Mumbai Indians edged out Delhi Capitals by 12 runs, and while the scoreboard celebrated MI’s much-needed win, the behind-the-scenes dynamics have sparked fresh debate.
According to Harbhajan Singh, Rohit Sharma, though not MI’s official captain this season, delivered a decisive tactical masterstroke from the dugout. As Karun Nair tore into MI’s bowling during DC’s chase of 206, Rohit requested a ball change in the 14th over—a strategic move allowed under a new IPL rule that permits a replacement ball after the 10th over to neutralize dew.
What followed was a dramatic collapse for Delhi. Karn Sharma was brought into the attack immediately after, taking three crucial wickets and turning the match on its head.
“If they had gone with Mahela Jayawardene’s plan, MI might have lost,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel. “Sometimes, coaches must put their egos aside. Rohit was thinking like a captain. He saved the game.”
Harbhajan went on to criticize earlier decisions made without Rohit’s input, including the controversial Tilak Varma retirement against Lucknow, implying such errors wouldn’t have occurred under Rohit’s strategic presence.
Rohit’s Poor Batting Form Persists
While Rohit may have saved the game tactically, his struggles with the bat continued. On a flat deck against DC, the veteran opener was dismissed for
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