As the excitement builds for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), which is set to commence on March 28, the initial schedule has unveiled the first 20 matches, owing to state elections. In this anticipation, Mumbai Indians’ head coach Mahela Jayawardene has showered accolades on seasoned batsman Rohit Sharma, emphasizing his fitness and dedication for the upcoming season.
“Rohit has been putting in considerable effort behind the scenes. He has focused on skill enhancement over the past week and joined us right from day one of our training camp. He appeared impressive in the nets—almost like a new version of himself. He’s much fitter and incredibly committed, so I’m eager to see him lead us from the front,” Jayawardene remarked during the MI Junior 2026 finals.
Additionally, Mumbai Indians’ leading fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, received high praise from Jayawardene. He referred to Bumrah as a “special player,” underscoring his vital contributions in crucial matches for India.
“Jassi is truly a remarkable player. His work ethic and strategic thinking about the game are significant factors. The way he performed in critical moments during the World Cup was exceptional. We’ve witnessed his brilliance many times with the Mumbai Indians, and having worked closely with him, I understand the depth of thought that goes into his executions,” stated the 48-year-old former cricketer.
Inspiring young talent during the MI Junior finals, Jayawardene shared that renowned all-rounder Hardik Pandya also honed his skills at the MIG Cricket Club in his formative years.
“This marks our sixth year of hosting MI Junior, and it becomes increasingly thrilling each year. Sports is fundamentally about participation, especially at this age, where enjoying the competition is paramount. Today, we’re at a historic venue, a starting point for many Indian cricketers. I’ve seen some iconic pictures in the dressing rooms, and I know Hardik practiced here early in his career. This is an excellent foundation for you all to push yourselves, with the hope of one day wearing the Mumbai colors,” he encouraged.
**IPL 2026, Mumbai Indians: Full Squad**
Rohit Sharma, Trent Boult, Suryakumar Yadav, Quinton de Kock (WK), Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Corbin Bosch, Hardik Pandya (C), Jasprit Bumrah, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Will Jacks, Mayank Rawat, Mayank Markande, Sherfane Rutherford, Raghu Sharma, Atharva Ankolekar, Tilak Varma, Ashwani Kumar, Raj Bawa, Danish Malewar, Robin Minz (WK), Allah Ghazanfar, Naman Dhir, Mohammed Salahuddin Izhar.
(With PTI Inputs)