‘Fitter’: Rohit gets boost from MI head coach ahead of IPL 2026

Mumbai: as mumbai indians head coach, Mahela Jayewardene There is a lot to be happy about in the upcoming IPL 2026, which will begin on March 28. Four MI players – India T20 captain Suryakumar YadavPioneer of pace Jasprit Bumrahcaptain Hardik Pandya Batsman Tilak Varma played a key role in India’s victory in the 2026 T20 World Cup.“Our kids have always inspired cricketers. I am proud to have players like Rohit, Hardik, Surya, Tilak, Jahi, Bumesh. It is an amazing group of players and we are privileged to have them in Mumbai Indians,” Mahela said during the MI Junior season finale at the MiG Cricket Club Ground here on Tuesday.

“I think in the World Cup, everyone has to put their hands up because it’s a tough tournament. I mean, every game is tough. So, there are different players who put their hands up and perform well. That’s why you win the World Cup because everyone is in form. Obviously, at the back end, they’re in peak form really well. I’m happy that we have four players from Mumbai (Indian) playing in the (Team India) T20 World Cup. So we’re very excited about that,” he added.“T20 WC champions get extended break”The MI head coach revealed that the team has given four World Cup-winning players an “extended break” and the four will join the training camp next week.“Every year, our target is to achieve this (win the IPL trophy). But I know it is a long season. So the pre-season will start the way we usually start, working hard and getting new players into the squad. For our (T20) World Cup players, we have given them a longer break so that they can join us next weekend. The overseas players are also flying back home and then they will join us. But they will have a good week of training with us before the first game,” Mahela said.England all-rounder Will Jacks also impressed in the T20 World Cup, while the emergence of players like Siervan Rutherford, Ryan Rickton and Quinton de Kock has also added depth to the squad.“Of course,” he added, “but I’m happy to have a headache rather than not have one. It’s not just Jack West, it’s Sherfan, Ryan (Rickton), Queenie (Quinton de Kock). Everyone forgets about Santner, who captained New Zealand. So I think we make a great team. We did all this before the T20 World Cup. ““So I’m excited to have all of that. It’s going to be a healthy headache for me. But everybody knows how we operate in camp. So, when the time is right, we’re going to make a decision. It’s going to be a tough decision, but we’re going to make sure we make the best decision possible.”Support Suryakumar, praise BumrahAlthough Suryakumar’s performance received some criticism, Jayawardene strongly supported him. “I don’t think SKY is too worried about (his form). He’s a class operator. He always gets there. He contributes when it matters. Yes, consistency is something he wants to improve on,” he said.“I think the way he led the (Indian) team and kept everything together… they had to take some tough decisions during the season. In the (T20) World Cup, they did that. Hats off to him. I’m sure he’ll be well rested and come into training camp with a smile on his face. “About Bumrah, he added, “I think Jassi (Jasprit Bumrah) has always been a special player. The work ethic he puts in and the way he thinks about the game is also important. I think the way he executed the crucial moments for India in the (T20) World Cup was special.”Rohit’s role and Sri Lanka campaignJayawardena hints Rohit Sharma May be used as more than just an impact player, compliments of his improving health.“He hasn’t, but I think he’s done a lot of work behind the scenes. He’s done a lot of skill work in the last week. He joined us on day one of our training camp. He’s looking good in the nets, which is very good. (We’re seeing) a newer version of Rohit… much healthier, very committed. So (we’re) looking to him to lead us from the top.”On Sri Lanka’s performance in the T20 World Cup, Jayawardene said: “I thought Sri Lanka played some really good cricket. They missed a couple of tough games. I mean, that’s the World Cup. I think every game is important. No matter what the result is.”