Mumbai: It's tough to tell if Rohit Sharma's subdued reaction after scoring a fifty against CSK on Sunday was due to a lack of excitement or just a sign of him becoming more laid-back with age.

However, the Mumbai Indians locker room wasn’t downplaying Rohit’s impressive 76 not out off 45 balls. MI captain Hardik Pandya remarked, “When Rohit Sharma is on fire, we know the other team is in trouble.”

While Rohit got the innings off to a quick start, the bowlers played a crucial role in securing the win, and Suryakumar Yadav’s aggressive approach against CSK’s spinners really sped up the chase.

Rohit took a more thoughtful approach when discussing his performance. “When the ball is in my zone, I still want to go for those big hits I’ve been known for. I realize it hasn’t been consistent lately, but I refuse to doubt myself,” he said while accepting the player of the match award.

This shows Rohit understands that scoring runs has become more challenging, but he also knows the importance of maintaining his confidence. After all, what’s a sportsperson without belief?

But does this one innings mean Rohit is back in his groove? Honestly, it's tough to draw conclusions from T20 results.

Without a bit of luck, Rohit could have been dismissed twice on Sunday. In this format, batters often benefit from fortune, and a powerful mishit can easily clear the boundary. Rohit's earlier struggles in the tournament were partly due to not getting those lucky breaks.

“A few things he tried didn’t pan out,” said MI head coach Mahela Jayawardena. “You just have to push through those tough moments.”

Rohit’s teammate Will Jacks was recently asked when he might replicate his impressive 41-ball century from last year with RCB. “I’d love to know that too,” he said. “Unfortunately, those days are rare. Life isn’t that simple. Cricket isn’t that simple.”

Rohit, who once scored 264 in an ODI, would likely agree with that.

Game of confidence

The upcoming games should help clarify the team's form, but one thing's for sure: scoring runs boosts confidence. Rohit's recent scores of 0, 8, 13, 17, 18, 26, and 76* show a promising upward trend.

Next up, MI faces SRH on what looks like a pitch that favors batting, which could give Rohit a chance to keep this momentum going.

Rohit shared, “Practicing well and making solid contact with the ball was crucial for me. When your mind is clear... I know it’s been a bit of a struggle, but if you start second-guessing yourself, you just add more pressure. It was key to find balance and plan my innings. I wanted to hit the ball, but I also needed to maintain my form and extend my arms.”

For MI's batting strategy, if Rohit excels during the Powerplay, it opens the door for Yadav and Tilak Varma to take charge in the middle overs, setting the stage for Hardik and the others to finish strong in the final overs. That’s the batting approach they’re aiming for.

The question for the test

On Monday, the BCCI revealed player contracts, and Rohit has kept his A+ status. His previous contract or his performance with the Mumbai Indians shouldn't really affect his chances for India's Test squad against England.

It's up to the selectors to decide if Rohit is the right choice to open against the Dukes ball this summer in England.

His familiarity with English conditions could be an advantage. With many seasoned players gone, the younger guys will need time to adjust to the typical swing and seam that England presents.

Still, if the 37-year-old is picked by the selectors, even with an average of 10.93 in Test cricket for 2024-25, any runs he scores in T20s will just add to his confidence.

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