New Delhi: Sunil Gavaskar has cautioned teams in the IPL 2026 season, stating that a resurgent Rohit Sharma could significantly impact the playoff race. His remarks came after the Mumbai Indians secured an impressive six-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants in a high-scoring encounter.
Rohit led the charge with a commanding 84 off 44 balls, guiding Mumbai through a record chase of 229 at the Wankhede Stadium. He shared a crucial 143-run opening stand with Ryan Rickelton, setting the platform for only the team’s third win of the season and keeping their slim playoff hopes alive.
Gavaskar noted a visible shift in Rohit’s approach over the past year, pointing out that the batter appears more focused on his individual performance since stepping away from leadership duties. He observed that Rohit has been consistently delivering across formats and is now carrying that momentum into the IPL.
According to the former captain, Rohit’s presence at the top has always been influential, even when not converting starts into very big scores. However, he believes the batter is now aiming to stay longer at the crease and play more decisive innings that shape match outcomes.
The innings against Lucknow reflected that evolution, with Rohit displaying a wide range of strokes and controlled aggression. He handled pace with authority and took on spin confidently, maintaining momentum throughout the chase.
Gavaskar emphasised that if Rohit continues in this vein, Mumbai Indians could become a serious threat in the remaining matches. Despite a slow start to the season, the team’s resurgence, led by their senior batter, has the potential to disrupt other contenders’ playoff ambitions.
As the tournament enters its crucial phase, Rohit’s form could prove decisive in determining not just Mumbai’s fate, but also the fortunes of several other teams in the competition.
