Rohit Sharma Reflects on Underwhelming IPL 2024 Season: “I Didn’t Live Up to the Standard”
The 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season was a forgettable one for Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Rohit Sharma. Despite being among the favorites to lift the trophy, MI finished at the bottom of the points table, winning just 5 out of their 14 matches. Rohit, who is widely regarded as one of the best white-ball batters in the world, openly acknowledged that his individual performances did not meet the high standards he has set for himself over the years.
In a candid interview with JioCinema Match Centre Live, the veteran opener delved into the reasons behind his below-par season, his approach to handling the disappointment, and the team’s inability to capitalize on the opportunities that came their way. Rohit’s introspective comments shed light on the challenges faced by even the most accomplished cricketers and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset in the face of adversity.
Rohit’s Disappointing Individual Performances
Rohit Sharma, who has been a consistent performer for MI over the years, struggled to find his rhythm in the 2024 IPL season. He managed to score 417 runs at an average of 32.07 and a strike rate of 150, which, by his own admission, was not up to par.
“As a batter, I know I didn’t live up to the standard,” Rohit acknowledged. “But, after playing for all these years, I know that if I overthink, I won’t play well. All I try is to stay in a good mindset, in the right zone, keep practicing, and improve on all the flaws in my game. That’s all I kept doing.”
Rohit’s inability to convert his starts into big scores was a major concern for the team. He scored 50+ only twice in the season, with both innings ending in defeats for MI. This inconsistency in performance was a significant factor in the team’s overall struggles.
MI’s Collective Underperformance
Rohit was quick to take responsibility for MI’s dismal season, stating that the team “made too many mistakes” that resulted in them finishing as the worst side in the competition.
“Our season didn’t go according to plan. We blame ourselves for this because we made too many mistakes during the season. We lost many games that we should have won, but that’s the nature of the IPL. You get a few chances and when those chances come, you must grab them,” Rohit lamented.
The MI squad, which was picked among the favorites for the title based on their roster, failed to click as a unit. A lack of form from key players and disoriented bowling strategies contributed to the team’s downfall, as they finished last on the table for the second time in three years.
The Impact of IPL Form on World Cup Selection
One of the key talking points surrounding the 2024 IPL season was its potential impact on the Indian national team’s selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup. However, Rohit Sharma revealed that the team management had already made up their minds about the majority of the squad well before the start of the IPL.
“We thought a lot about the team we ultimately selected for the World Cup. The spinners, seamers, batters, and keepers, we knew before the IPL who we would take to the World Cup. The IPL performances for everyone can be up and down, so we didn’t focus too much on that. We needed to see the performances of certain players, but it was important for us to give everyone the clarity they needed,” Rohit explained.
This statement suggests that the IPL form of players was not the sole determining factor in their selection for the national team, as the selectors had already identified the core of the squad based on their previous performances and the team’s strategic requirements.
Maintaining a Positive Mindset
Despite the disappointment of the 2024 IPL season, Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and not dwelling too much on the past. He acknowledged that overthinking can be detrimental to a player’s performance and instead advocated for a focus on continuous improvement.
“After playing for all these years, I know that if I overthink, I won’t play well. All I try is to stay in a good mindset, in the right zone, keep practicing, and improve on all the flaws in my game. That’s all I kept doing,” Rohit said.
This approach of staying in the present and concentrating on personal development is a testament to Rohit’s experience and maturity as a cricketer. It also serves as a valuable lesson for aspiring players and teams who may face similar challenges in their careers.
Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead
The 2024 IPL season was a humbling experience for Rohit Sharma and the Mumbai Indians franchise. However, the veteran opener believes that the team can learn valuable lessons from this setback and use it as motivation to bounce back stronger in the future.
“We lost many games that we should have won, but that’s the nature of the IPL. You get a few chances and when those chances come, you must grab them,” Rohit acknowledged. “This experience will help us understand where we went wrong and what we need to improve on as a team.”
As Rohit and the MI squad shift their focus to the upcoming T20 World Cup, they will undoubtedly be driven to prove their mettle on the international stage. The captain’s willingness to reflect on his own shortcomings and the team’s collective failures sets a positive example for the rest of the squad, and it will be interesting to see how they bounce back from this challenging season.
