IPL 2025: Michael Clarke backs Rohit Sharma despite poor form for Mumbai Indians

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has put his weight behind Rohit Sharma to bounce back for Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL 2025. In the first three matches of the ongoing season, Rohit has returned with scores of 0, 8 and 13 and thus has managed only 21 runs.

Before IPL 2025, Rohit led India to Champions Trophy glory and scored 180 runs in five matches of the tournament, including a match-winning knock of 76 runs in the final against New Zealand.

Clarke squashed the idea that Rohit Sharma should be dropped from MI’s playing XI and said he is still the franchise’s first-pick player.

“I think I heard on the plane on social media someone was talking about Rohit’s missed out the first two games for Mumbai, should they pick him? I’m like what? He’s still your first-pick player in that Mumbai team. He’s opening the batting. His batting is still quality. His leadership quality for Hardik and the rest of that Mumbai team is so important,” Clarke said on Backstage with Boria.

The 2015 World Cup-winning captain backed Rohit to go back to the drawing board, work harder and bounce back into form.

“Form is temporary class is permanent. The best players in the world are the best or a reason. Its the longevity, its through the highs through the lows. You pick yourself up when you are not performing, you go and do the work to get back into form and you go and make runs to make your team win. Rohit Sharma would do that,” he explained.

“Virat Kohli is the same. He has had form slumps but it is because he is such a great player. Expectations are so high. We think he can walk out to bat and make a hundred every single day. That’s not the game. You’re playing Test cricket, one-day cricket, IPL. Three different formats,” he further added.

On the other hand, Clarke showered praise on Virat Kohli for kickstarting IPL 2025 on a high. Kohli has scored 97 runs in three matches at an average of 48.50.

“I reckon Virat’s playing beautifully. Champions Trophy, he’s started this IPL really well. I know he’ll be loving opening the batting as well,” he said. 

Mumbai Indians will next take on Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Friday.