IPL 2023: “I don’t think he should take rest,” Boucher opposes Gavaskar’s advice for MI skipper Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma is enduring a tough time in the ongoing Indian Premier League.

By Salman Anjum - 30 Apr, 2023

Rohit Sharma is enduring a tough time in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season both as a batter and captain.

Under his leadership, Mumbai Indians (MI) have won three out of their seven matches so far while Rohit has managed to register only one half-century.

Amid the lean patch, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has advised Rohit to take a break, citing that the MI skipper seems a bit preoccupied.

Reacting to Gavaskar’s suggestion, MI head coach Mark Boucher on Saturday (April 29) said Rohit Sharma has not asked for rest and they will look into it if he does.

“No, I don’t think he should take rest. That’s not my call to make. Obviously, we want Rohit playing, because he’s a very good player, and a leader as well,” Boucher told the media ahead of MI’s clash against Rajasthan Royals Sunday (April 30).

“If it is the best for Rohit, and he comes up to me and says that ‘you know, I need a bit of a break’ then yes, we will address that, and I will consider that. He hasn’t done that. So yes at the moment, if he is available to play, he will play,” he added.

Mumbai Indians’ death bowling came under the scanner after they conceded 96 runs in the last five overs against Punjab Kings.

Boucher said MI have gone back to the drawing board to address their death bowling woes.

“The first game, if we look at it, I spoke about dominating the most of it rather than in that short little period. We sort of repeated that in the second game which is something that if it happens once it is a mistake but if it happens twice, then it is something that we need to address.

“We have addressed it in meetings, there are lots of different ideas on how we are going to try and not do that again,” he said.

The MI coach confirmed that fast bowler Jofra Archer travelled to Belgium for a ‘minor surgery’.

“Yes, he was (in Belgium for surgery). I believe it was a minor surgery. I think he went for a day. As far as I know, Jof is available for selection,” Boucher said.

(With PTI Inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 30 Apr, 2023

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