Pollard Backs Rohit: "He’ll Score Big Again"

Pollard Backs Rohit: “He’ll Score Big Again, and We’ll Be Singing His Praises”

Mumbai Indians (MI) batting coach Kieron Pollard has expressed full confidence in Rohit Sharma, insisting that the star batter will soon return to form and silence any doubts.

So far in IPL 2025, MI have struggled on the road, losing to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT), but secured their first win at home against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Their batting faltered on slow surfaces in Chennai and Ahmedabad, but a return to the Wankhede saw them dismiss KKR for just 116. Now, MI are back on the road for their upcoming clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Friday. However, LSG have also been vocal about their home conditions, with mentor Zaheer Khan criticizing the pitch after their loss to Punjab Kings.

Pollard Emphasizes Adaptability

Speaking ahead of the game, Pollard stressed the importance of adjusting to different conditions.

“For me and for us, it’s all about adaptability to whatever conditions we face on the day,” he said on Thursday. “As players and management, we prepare for all scenarios, but the nature of the pitch is something beyond our control. True world-class players and legends are those who can adapt to any situation.”

Backing Rohit Sharma

Rohit, who played a match-winning knock of 76 in the 2025 Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, has yet to find his rhythm in the IPL. His scores of 13, 8, and 0 have raised questions, with two soft dismissals and a delivery from Mohammed Siraj proving unplayable. However, Pollard dismissed any concerns, stating that Rohit should not be under undue pressure.

“I’ve played alongside Rohit since our Under-19 days, and he has established himself in cricket history across formats,” Pollard said. “He’s a legend in his own right.

“In cricket, we fail more than we succeed. Just because he has had a couple of low scores doesn’t mean we should judge him. He’s earned the right to enjoy his cricket without unnecessary pressure. Soon, he’ll deliver a big score, and then we’ll be singing his praises again before moving on to the next big talking point.”