Former South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher, who was the Mumbai Indians head coach in IPL 2024, has said Rohit Sharma showed some good old-fashioned sixes against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday, and a big score from the former the MI captain is coming very soon.
Rohit hasn’t been able to reach the 50-run mark in six games in IPL 2025, with the 26 he scored against Hyderabad being his highest score.
"Rohit Sharma took it upon himself to go after the bowlers. We saw some good old-fashioned Rohit Sharma sixes - big ones too. I liked his attitude," Boucher, a former Mumbai Indians head coach, said.
"He put the bowlers under pressure, created scoring opportunities. He was just past the 30-mark -- a big score is coming very soon. He’s looking in that zone again,” he told 'Jiostar'.
Boucher also reflected on the performance of MI skipper Hardik Pandya, whose 21 off just nine balls with three fours and a six took Mumbai to the threshold of victory.
"Hardik Pandya is one of the best all-rounders in the world. When he’s firing, the team usually wins. I love his new role with the ball - he’s not just bowling in the power play, but in the tough middle overs, the ‘ugly overs’.
"And he’s picking up wickets there too. That’s giving him confidence, and it’s translating into his batting, where he’s going in and finishing games." On the all-round performance of Will Jacks, he said, "Will Jacks has been under pressure and hasn't performed like he'd have wanted at the start of the competition. But he is amazing - he's a genuine all-rounder and more than just a part-time spinner." "He bowled really well and picked up some crucial wickets. That would've fed into his batting confidence too - finally feeling like he's contributed. There's no reason he can't carry this momentum and do some fantastic things like he has for other franchises and for England." Former India batter Ajay Jadeja also shared his perspective on Pandya.
"Hardik Pandya is a character, and he is leading from the front -- whether it’s batting, bowling, fielding, or even off the field. He’s always smiling. The one thing about him – he never gives up.
"Last year wasn’t the best for him, but this year, even without great results early on, he’s stayed true to his style." Jadeja feels MI's turnaround came in the Super Over win against Delhi Capitals on April 16.
"The turnaround, in my opinion, came in the last game against Delhi Capitals. Most teams would’ve given up. But Mumbai Indians clawed back – and that’s Hardik Pandya for you. That was the game that may well have turned their season around.
"Tonight was a bonus. It was a comfortable win, but the Delhi game showed what MI and Hardik are made of. When Hardik Pandya walks in, even when the team needs 10, 12, 15 runs an over, you still feel they’ve got a better chance with him at the crease."
Follow us
