Former South Africa quick Dale Steyn has backed Rohit Sharma to have one of his best seasons in the Indian Premier League when the tournament gets underway on Saturday, March 28.
Rohit’s best IPL season came in 2013 when he scored 538 runs from 19 matches and helped Mumbai Indians win their first title. It remains the only season in which he surpassed 500 runs.
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Steyn said the former MI captain will combine focus and aggression with control this IPL, show his best cricket while thriving in India’s growing winning culture. He also praised Rohit for his character transformation.
Since retiring from Test cricket in 2025, the 38-year-old Rohit has focused a lot on fitnesswith a focus on the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“Guns blazing. I think he will come out focused and aggressive but controlled. It won’t be reckless smacking, it will be cultured, adapted to the conditions. We will probably see the best of Rohit Sharma this season,” Steyn told TV stations on Friday.
“You can see it in his character and there is this feeling in the air – cricket is always in the air in India, but now there is a winning culture that Indian cricket is starting to have. The world is taking notice and India is two steps ahead of everyone else,” Steyn added.
“IT’S ROHIT’S PERIOD”
For India, Rohit is the only active ODI cricketer who has already left Tests and T20Is. Steyn said Rohit can use the IPL to showcase his skills and remind everyone that he remains among the best.
“With Rohit not being a fixture in all three formats like he used to be, he is using the IPL as the perfect stage to showcase his skills and remind everyone that he is still at the top.
“This is his season, two months to show India that he remains among the cream of the crop, alongside Virat and other seasoned players. Having opened at the Wankhede with Quinton de Kock on the other side and maybe (Ryan) Rickleton, Rohit is ready to fire. It will be exciting,” added Steyn.
Mumbai Indians will begin their IPL campaign on Sunday, March 29 against three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
27 March 2026 23:46 IST
