As part of the captaincy swap between Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar for the CSK match, MI announce Rohit Sharma as ‘Mumbaicha Raja’

Rohit Sharma has made his much-anticipated return to the Mumbai Indians camp ahead of IPL 2025, joining the squad on March 19, just days before the tournament kicks off on March 22. Fresh off leading India to victory in both the T20 World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy, Rohit took a brief family vacation in the Maldives before reuniting with his franchise. Mumbai Indians gave their most successful captain a grand welcome, referring to him as “Mumbaicha Raja” (The King of Mumbai) on their official website.

MI reaffirmed their faith in Rohit’s skills when they said, “The man, the myth, the HITMAN – With his effortless swag and that big-match mentality, Rohit is all set to produce his magic again in the iconic Blue & Gold as we begin our quest for mission 6.”

Rohit, one of the most decorated leaders in IPL history, shares the record for most titles won as captain with MS Dhoni, each securing five championships. With 6628 runs in 257 matches, he is also the third-highest run-scorer in IPL history. However, despite his incredible track record, Mumbai Indians made the bold call to relieve him of captaincy after three consecutive seasons without a title between 2021 and 2023. Hardik Pandya was named his successor, yet Rohit remains the team’s biggest draw.

The franchise emphasized how Rohit’s presence adds a special advantage, especially for younger players. “The team is coming together well, training sessions are becoming more intense by the day, and Rohit’s presence adds an undeniable advantage,” the franchise stated.

For their IPL 2025 opener against Chennai Super Kings on March 23, Mumbai Indians will be captained by Suryakumar Yadav, as Hardik Pandya will miss the match due to a one-game suspension for a slow over-rate violation from the previous season. Pandya, who rejoined MI last year after leading Gujarat Titans for two years, acknowledged the depth of leadership within the squad.

“Having three captains playing with me is a blessing. That brings immense experience. I know that there are three different minds who have led India in various formats and have years of experience. They can always put an arm around my shoulder and be there for support,” Pandya stated.

This season, Rohit will have a fresh opening partner in Ryan Rickelton, a promising South African batter acquired in the mega auction following Ishan Kishan’s release. The franchise also made several other key signings, bringing in Trent Boult, Will Jacks, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, and Reece Topley to strengthen their squad.