‘Rohit can’t be an impactful player’: Former India batsman sends strong message to Hardik

former indian batsman Mohammad Kaif urged mumbai indians Make full use of Rohit Sharma on the field, rather than limiting him to an impact player role. Rohit, who led MI to five Indian Premier League titles, was mainly deployed as an impact player last season. That meant his involvement was limited to batting, and according to Kraft, the team missed out on the leadership role of an experienced campaigner. Despite his restricted role, Rohit still performed well, scoring 418 runs in 15 games at an average of 29.86 and a strike rate of 149.29.

The team has handed over captaincy responsibilities to Hardik Pandya Before IPL 2024. Although the season ended disappointingly with MI finishing last, the team bounced back strongly in 2025, advancing to Qualifying Round 2. Kaif believes Rohit’s reduced role last year was a mistake, especially in high-pressure moments. He pointed out that in the Qualifier 2 match against Kings XI Punjab, MI performed poorly despite winning the match. Shreyas Iyer. In this scenario, Kaif feels Hardik could benefit from Rohit’s on-field guidance.

In a post shared on He emphasized that Rohit’s presence at crucial stages will not only support Hardik’s captaincy but also have a positive impact on his own batting rhythm. “Mumbai Indians should make the most of a fitter and leaner Rohit Sharma. He cannot be just an impact player, MI will need him in crucial situations. His input in captain Hardik Pandya will also be valuable. Last year in Qualifier 2 against Kings XI, Hardik needed Rohit by his side when Shriyas Iyer was batting. A full participation in the game will also help Rohit batsmen,” Kaif wrote. Mumbai Indians begin their IPL 2026 season at home against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.