Rohit Sharma made a grand return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the Mumbai Indians batsman smashed a 27-ball half-century against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday. Rohit missed five matches due to a hamstring injury sustained on April 12 against Royals Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and has been sidelined ever since.
Although Rohit did not field for Mumbai Indians, he walked out to bat as the shock player replacing Raghu Sharma to loud cheers from the packed Wankhede crowd, along with Ryan Rickelton after LSG managed 228/6 in 20 overs. The duo initially took some time to break the shackles.
Despite warming the bench for so many games, Rohit showed no signs of rust as he started with a six off Mohammed Shami. Avesh Khan was the highlight of Rohit’s innings, where the former Mumbai Indians captain hit the bowler for two sixes and two fours for 21 runs.
He brought up his fifty with a six off Manimar’s Siddharth to record his fourth fastest fifty in the IPL. Rohit’s 23-ball fifty against Kolkata Knight Riders earlier this year is still his best.
Fans on social media must have gone crazy after Rohit’s half-century. “52 (27) after an injury layoff. Rohit Sharma didn’t come back to settle – he came back to dominate. No rust, no noise, just pure authority. That’s not a comeback. That’s a reminder,” said one user.
“27 balls, 50 runs, zero drama. Some players are chasing targets… Rohit is overwriting them in the middle innings,” said another. “Hitman Rohit Sharma in full swing is such a beautiful sight for any Indian cricket fan!” wrote another. Along with Rickelton, Rohit put on a 143-run stand in 10.5 overs before the South African was dismissed by Mohsin Khan for 83 runs off just 32 deliveries.
Rohit Sharma has passed his hundred
However, Rohit fell short of a well-deserved hundred by just 16 runs on the final ball of the 14th over. Against Manimaran Siddharth, Rohit crossed and crashed to sweep only to reach the top edge. Standing at short fine leg, Mohammed Shami took a few steps back to catch an overhead.
Rohit walked out to a standing ovation for his 44-ball knock that was studded with six fours and seven sixes. Mumbai Indians were 177/2 at that stage and Rohit and Rickelton laid the platform for others in the chase.
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