Aakash Chopra weighed in on Rohit Sharma’s role in Mumbai Indians and said the veteran opener should remain involved throughout the match rather than being used only as an Impact Player in the Indian Premier League.Sharing his views, the former India opener said that if Rohit is fully fit, it would make more sense for him to participate in the game from start to finish instead of only appearing as a substitute batsman. According to Chopra, limiting a player of Rohit’s caliber to just a few overs with the bat does not increase his overall contribution to the team.“Logically, if you are fit, you should play the whole match and not be substituted. Especially when you are batting second, you should not come in as an impact player. An opener is not used to watching 20 overs of a match from the dugout,” Chopra told Jio Hotstar.Chopra went on to explain that opening batsmen generally prepare for a match by staying involved in the game from the start, which helps them get into the right mindset before going into bat.“The opening batsmen are used to stay on the field, prepare accordingly and then hit the ground. Rohit Sharma is the fittest, the meanest and maybe the strongest at the moment, so he should be on the ground for the entire 40 overs. That’s actually how Mumbai Indians will be able to make the most of Rohit Sharma,” he added.Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh also shared a similar view, suggesting that Rohit’s experience and leadership skills make him too valuable to be restricted to a substitute role. He emphasized that Rohit’s presence on the field can prove crucial for skipper Hardik Pandya, especially during pressure situations.“Rohit Sharma has been used as a 12th man who just bats, but I feel the kind of leader he has been, a player like him should be on the field. In tough matches, when you need to take certain challenges, when a captain sometimes needs a shoulder to lean on, Rohit Sharma can do that for Hardik Pandya,” Harbhajan said.Rohit, who led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles during his tenure as captain, was frequently used as an Impact Player in the 2025 season. This move sparked a debate among fans at the time.The seasoned opener endured a tough campaign last year, managing only 240 runs during the tournament. As the new season approaches, Rohit will want to turn things around and make a stronger impact with the bat.
