IPL 2025 | "Though he was failing, that was good for us": Jayawardene on Rohit Sharma

Mahela Jayawardene (Pic: File Pic)

In the IPL 2025 match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mumbai Indians (MI) stalwart Rohit Sharma played a match-winning knock of an unbeaten 76 runs, which came in just 45 balls. His knock was laced with four boundaries and six maximums.

Over the years, Rohit's aggressive approach has seen him give flops more than hits. But MI's head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, said that the side has backed him to play with the same tempo.

"He never changed his approach. The intent was there from day one, even though he was failing, so that was good for us (in the way) that he was trying to play for the team and how he wanted to do it. We just backed him to do that," Jayawardene said in the post-match press conference.

"Once he comes off like that, you know that he's going to change the game and the momentum and that's going to filter down to the rest of the boys as well, so pretty happy with the approach," added the 47-year-old former Sri Lankan cricketer.

Also Read: BCCI contract list for 2025: Iyer, Ishan secure spots in Grade B and C, respectively

Mumbai's head coach also stated that Rohit understands the game well in situational awareness.

"He's been playing at this tempo for a while and that's something that he understands himself. But at the same time, he will understand the game better in situational awareness as well. Like today, when Ash (Ravichandran Ashwin) came (on to bowl) as well, he (Rohit) took a little bit of time. He knew that he didn't have to take (on) the long boundary straight away," Jayawardene said.

Following the knock against CSK, Jayawardene praised Rohit by saying that he is a dam good player.

"But those are experienced players making those good decisions out there. He'll still play with that tempo and we've encouraged him to do that because he's a damn good player, we want him to take control of that. He has got a couple of other guys who are going to follow him, who will bat around him as well (to) take that little bit of onus away from certain situations," he added.

In the run chase of 177 runs, Ryan Rickelton provided "Paltan" the required start as he scored 24 runs in 19 balls. His knock included three boundaries and a maximum.

Alongside Rohit was premier batsman Suryakumar Yadav, who too, played an unbeaten knock of 68 runs off just 30 deliveries. Suryakumar's knock was laced with six boundaries and two maximums. MI sealed the victory by nine wickets in the IPL 2025 match against CSK at the Wankhede Stadium.

(With PTI Inputs)