Until four nights ago, Rohit Sharma was experiencing a mediocre to poor IPL 2025. Six innings had yielded only 82 runs at an average of 13. 67; his highest score was 26, and even though he was scoring at 143. 86 with six fours and six sixes, these weren’t the results anticipated from the former captain, the top batter in the team, the player expected to establish the tone at the beginning of the innings.

However, each of Rohit’s innings had been better than the last. After beginning the tournament with a four-ball duck against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk, he gradually built up slow momentum – slow being the key term. Eight runs against Gujarat Titans were followed by 13 against Kolkata Knight Riders, in the five-time former champions’ initial victory of the season. The figures steadily increased to 17 (against Royal Challengers Bengaluru), 18 (against Delhi Capitals), and capped at 26 in the home victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Rohit was on the rise, even if the returns weren’t particularly significant.

Form is an unpredictable concept in cricket as a whole, and in T20 cricket in particular. Momentum, that frequently misused term, can vanish just as swiftly as it makes its presence known. Rohit didn’t appear to be out of touch, but he was undeniably out of form if the amount of runs serves as the standard against which form is assessed.

When he didn’t overreach, Rohit still appeared to be in top form, but only for very brief periods. He remained someone to be reckoned with, but the element of fear was slowly diminishing. A six here and a four there were acceptable as long as the damage wasn’t prolonged or sustained. But class will prevail, won’t it? It always does.

Rohit is nothing if not class. Emphasizing the truth about the temporary nature of form and the enduring quality of class, he has truly found his stride as the tournament has gained momentum and the Mumbai Indians have become stronger. His last two performances, against CSK at Wankhede last Sunday and SRH in Uppal on Wednesday, were 76 not out and 70. Off 45 and 46 balls respectively. Highlighted by 12 fours and nine sixes in total. Suddenly, the 37-year-old is his team’s third highest run-scorer – 228 at an average of 32. 57, a strike rate of 154. 05, with 18 sixes and 15 fours. To say that the Hitman is back – if he had ever really left – would be an understatement.

Sticking to the process

One of Rohit’s remarkable qualities is his strong faith in the methods he has established for himself. Considering his average start to the tournament, the urge to stray from his natural style and cautiously work his way back into form, if not with hesitation, might have been nearly irresistible. However, that has not been the approach of Rohit, has it? Since taking on the all-format captaincy of the Indian team in March 2022, he has consistently emphasized leading from the forefront, regardless of whether he is the designated captain or not, and just because achieving a significant score was difficult, he wasn’t going to doubt himself or abandon the commanding, aggressive persona that he has internalized over the past 36 months.

Even when the one defining performance that could have quieted critics didn’t materialize, Rohit focused on attacking the bowling. He could have discreetly accomplished the task against CSK on Sunday, with the target being just a modest 177 on an excellent batting wicket. He could have, but that wouldn’t represent Rohit, would it? Therefore, he entered the fray with all guns blazing, targeting Khaleel Ahmed and James Overton without regard for their recent performances. He didn’t attempt to manufacture shots, but then again, Rohit Sharma never needs to do that. He possesses the talent to hit good deliveries for effortless sixes, which is precisely what he achieved. He remained firm in his stance, steady as the ball departed from the bowler’s hand, and swiftly evaluated the length as his signature pulls reemerged frequently. Spectacular sweeps and powerful cuts competed for visual impact alongside enchanting cover-drives. For once, Mahendra Singh Dhoni appeared at a loss as he tried to stem the flow of runs.

Having sensed vulnerability, Rohit was not going to be easily appeased. Thus came the assault that SRH faced on Wednesday, with Rohit now operating at peak efficiency. This time, a display of fours overshadowed the sporadic sixes. Pat Cummins, in particular, was thoroughly outclassed. Completely dismantled. Cummins had dismissed Rohit the last five times they competed. This time, there emerged only one victor – Rohit scored 70 off 46, while Cummins finished with none for 31 off three overs. Welcome back, Rohit Sharma. The wait has certainly been worthwhile.

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