IPL 2025: Rohit Sharma's availability for RCB clash to be confirmed after nets on Sunday

Mumbai Indians (MI) are keeping a close eye on the fitness of veteran opener Rohit Sharma ahead of their IPL 2025 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday. Rohit, who missed MI’s previous game against Lucknow Super Giants due to a knee injury, is set to undergo a fitness assessment after a net session on Sunday to determine his availability.

The 36-year-old had featured in MI’s first three matches this season, registering scores of 13, 8, and 0 before being sidelined. His most recent appearance came against Kolkata Knight Riders, where he was used as an Impact Player and managed 13 runs in a successful chase of 117.

"Ro [Rohit] looks good, he's going to bat today as well. Rohit had an unfortunate impact on his leg while batting, so he felt uncomfortable. We were travelling yesterday. He'll have a hit today and then we will assess that," MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene said on the eve of the game at the Wankhede Stadium.

Notably, the MI head coach revealed that the veteran batter has been batting well in the nets. He also revealed that judging him based on the two games is unfair, and a player of his caliber can do wonders if he gets going. 

"He had a couple of hits, he's batting well in the nets. If you're telling me every two innings to look at someone's performance, it's a bit unfair. My memory of his last innings was the Champions Trophy winning knock. So, we have to give and back the experienced guys, and them coming to the party. We've always, as Mumbai, backed the core group to deliver for us so we're going to do that. It was unfortunate that he got hit in the nets and hopefully he'll be 100% and that's how we will continue to back the guys to get the results for us," he added.

The five-time champions currently sit in the bottom half of the table with just one win, a victory at home against KKR. They have struggled in away games, including their latest loss to LSG, where Rohit was ruled out and Raj Angad Bawa made his debut in his place.

MI’s decisions have also grabbed eyeballs, particularly the controversial call to retire out of Tilak Varma in the final phase of the LSG game. Tilak, who was struggling with a 25 off 23 balls, was subbed out with MI needing 24 from seven balls.  

Looking ahead, MI’s upcoming fixtures include a trip to Delhi to face the Capitals before returning to host Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings.