'He just had a mild back stiffness so it was just a precautionary thing' - Piyush Chawla on why Rohit Sharma played as Impact Player

Veteran Mumbai Indians batter Rohit Sharma recently featured for his side as the Impact Player against Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing edition of the IPL (Indian Premier League) 2024. Both sides locked horns in the 51st game of the tournament at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday, May 3. 

After KKR posted a total of 169 runs in the first innings, MI aimed to chase down the target, and opener Rohit Sharma was sent in to bat as an Impact Player. Rohit made 11 off 12 balls as MI failed to chase down a target of 170, leaving them with eight defeats in 11 matches. 

Speaking of the decision to make Rohit the Impact Player for the clash against KKR, veteran spinner Piyush Chawla came forward to reveal why Rohit featured as one. "He just had a mild back stiffness so it was just a precautionary thing,” Piyush Chawla was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

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For the pride and the reputation: Chawla

Furthermore, Piyush Chawla was asked about what the entire MI squad is now playing for, with the quest for playoff qualification coming nearly to an end. With eight losses and three wins in 11 matches, MI currently sits in ninth place in the standings with six points to their name. 

Talking about the same, Piyush Chawla opined that the entire squad is playing to maintain the reputation of the franchise and for the pride of playing for the five-time IPL champions. 

"For the pride and the reputation, because sometimes when you enter on the field, you don't think whether you are going to qualify or you are not going to qualify. You have to play for your name and that's what we are playing for,” Chawla said. 

For their next assignment, Mumbai Indians will lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium in the 55th game of the tournament on Monday, May 6.