The stage is set for the 19th edition of the IPL (Indian Premier League).
The marquee tournament will begin on March 28 and will see the 10 franchises participating give it their best shot in hope to get their hands on the title. Five-time champions Mumbai Indians will be in focus ahead of the new season.
With the competition just around the corner, former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin took centre stage and backed veteran batter Rohit Sharma to play at the highest of his potential.
Ashwin was of the view that Rohit has had enough rest before the IPL and looks very much fit and would look to put his best foot forward for the Mumbai Indians in the forthcoming edition of IPL.
In my personal opinion, this is a season where Rohit is going to strike back. He need not play cricket the entire season. He is given ample breaks. He has a fresh mind. He is physically fit. He seems to have gained a lot of fitness. “I personally think this is going to be a season when Rohit is going to take it on and he doesn’t have to play cricket the entire season, he is getting enough breaks, his mind is fresh, physically he is in a good space, he looks really fit and I think this could well be a season when Rohit Sharma will bring back his T20 batting in IPL,” Ashwin said in a statement in a video on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin gave a big statement on MI ahead of IPL 2026.
Looking at their squad, there is no doubt that Mumbai Indians are one of the strongest side in the IPL 2026, speaking on the same Ashwin opined that if the five times champions does not finish at the top 5 it will be a big upset for him.
If Mumbai don’t make the top 2 this year it will be a huge upset for me. They have put a gun side together. The worst record for Mumbai Indians is qualifying in the top four. Top two is the best performances. Actually, I will rate the best performance if they come first, not even top two,” Ashwin said.
