IPL 2025: Why is Rohit Sharma not included in MI playing XI for KKR clash? Explained

Rohit Sharma is yet to score a fifty in the IPL 2025.

The 12th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is currently underway at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

MI captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and chose to bowl first, citing that chasing would be easier on Mumbai’s traditionally batting-friendly pitch. Both teams have made changes – KKR brought in Sunil Narine for Moeen Ali, while MI brought in Will Jacks, Vignesh Puthur, and Ashwani Kumar, with the latter making his IPL debut.

One notable change was the exclusion of MI’s most senior batsman, Rohit Sharma, from the playing XI. Let’s take a look at why the 37-year-old has been left out.

IPL 2025: Why is Rohit Sharma not included in MI playing XI for KKR clash? Explained

Rohit has not been named in MI’s starting XI, but has been named as one of MI’s five Impact Players and will most likely open the batting alongside Ryan Rickelton in the second innings. MI have been employing this strategy since last season to manage the workload of the former captain.

The veteran opener is yet to make an impact in the tournament and has been dismissed for a duck and just eight runs in his first two games against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT).

MI will need Rohit to fire if KKR set a big target. He will be tested against the spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy if he manages to stay at the crease for long.

MI vs KKR: Playing XI of both teams

MI: Ryan Rickelton, Will Jacks (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Ashwani Kumar and Vignesh Puthur.

KKR: Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh , Spencer Johnson, Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy.

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