“There is a massive difference between Rohit Sharma’s first 6 matches and last 5 matches” – Aakash Chopra on Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2024 win vs SRH

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has shed light on Rohit Sharma’s current form in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024. While Rohit got off to a flying start in the tournament, he hasn’t been at his best in the last five games.

Rohit was dismissed cheaply after scoring four runs as he top-edged a ball against SRH skipper Pat Cummings in the run-chase of 174 runs at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday.

Rohit has scored 330 runs in 12 matches of the ongoing IPL 2024 at an average of 30 and a strike rate of 152.77. The former MI captain scored 261 runs in the first six matches at an average of 52.2 and a strike rate of 167.33. But Rohit has managed only 65 runs in the next five games at an average of 13 and a strike rate of 118.1.

“The new ball moved and Ishan Kishan got out. Marco Jansen dismissed him. Pat Cummins came and dismissed Rohit Sharma. There is a massive difference between Rohit Sharma’s first six matches and last five matches. He is going in single digits in the last five matches and that is a real worry,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“Honestly, Rohit Sharma’s form is needed for both the Mumbai Indians and the Indians. He got out and then Naman Dhir kept playing dot balls. Bhuvneshwar Kumar got him out,” the former India opener added.

Meanwhile, MI found themselves under the pump at 31-3 but Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav scored 37 and 102 respectively to get their team over the line. Yadav played aggressively to complete his century off just 51 balls whereas Varma played a second-fiddle role.

“However, after that, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma – Tilak Varma slightly cautiously and Suryakumar Yadav destructively. How well he bats. He was getting beaten a little at the start because the ball was moving but then Suryakumar Yadav shone. He played scoop shots and then hit over cover,” he said.

“It seemed at one stage that he was deciding where the bowler would ball. He is that kind of a player. He scored a century. In the end, he reached his hundred very quickly. It was the 12th century of this season. More centuries than this have not been scored in any season. Tilak Varma remained unbeaten till the end and Mumbai won,” Chopra observed.

Mumbai Indians will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Saturday.