Legendary batter Rohit Sharma completed 15 years with the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and expressed gratitude to his teammates, the owners, and the support staff, along with team management.

Back in 2011, MI signed Rohit for USD 2 million after his move from the now-defunct Deccan Chargers. Rohit Sharma was then named captain of the team in the mid-2013 IPL edition, replacing Ricky Ponting, and he led the team to their first IPL title.

Rohit Sharma won four more titles for MI in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. He also won the Champions League T20 tournament for MI as captain before being replaced by Hardik Pandya in IPL 2024.

In a video posted by MI, Rohit appreciated both the team's performance and the personal accomplishments he made over his lengthy tenure.

“Thank you so much for making it so special. Thanks, Polly (Kieron Pollard), Hardik (Pandya), Surya (Suryakumar Yadav), Shardul (Thakur), Mali (Malinga), the coach, and also the rest of you all. Thank you so much. It couldn’t have been what it is for me without the effort of all of you guys. This is a very, very special team, a very, very special franchise, and very, very special people involved in this team," Rohit Sharma said in the dressing room, as shared by MI.

Rohit Sharma emphasized how the team's and its stakeholders' support was crucial to his development as a captain and a person. Additionally, he thanked the franchise owners for helping him through important stages of his career.

“Yes, we won five trophies, but obviously we all know that it was not possible without the effort of the entire team that's involved in making this franchise so, so special. Akash (Ambani) is not here; Bhabhi is not here, but I sincerely want to thank them as well for, you know, putting that support behind me because their support obviously was very much needed at that point for me to grow as a captain and grow as a player in this franchise because I wouldn’t have learned the art of being a leader if it was not for this franchise.

Obviously, there are a lot of people to thank for that. A lot of people helped me grow into that leadership role and also now as a player as well; you know, there’s been immense support from everyone," Rohit added.

Rohit thanked everyone associated with the franchise over the years and expressed hope for its continued success.

“Even the guys who are not here, I sincerely from the bottom of my heart would like to thank everyone for making this special journey. Like, obviously, Polly keeps saying, long may that continue for this franchisee, and long may that continue for all the players, staff, and everybody. Let’s keep this legacy of this franchise growing higher and higher. Thank you, guys," Rohit concluded.

After Rohit Sharma’s speech, MI captain Hardik Pandya took the stage and praised Rohit and thanked him for inspiring and leading the five-time champions throughout the years. He lauded Rohit's character, emphasized his role in developing players, and gave him credit for constantly taking the lead.

“Bro, congratulations on 15 years. Thank you for the way you’ve led this franchise for so long. I made my debut under you, and so did Boom (Jasprit Bumrah) and many others. Thank you for inspiring so many who’ve gone on to represent both this franchise and India. You’ve been amazing, not just as a leader but as a person, always friendly, open, and leading from the front. Many congratulations, and thank you for everything you’ve done over the years,” Hardik said.

Rohit Sharma has appeared in 230 IPL matches with the Mumbai Indians, amassing 5,994 runs at an average of 29.67 and a strike rate of 132.79. His record includes 40 half-centuries and two centuries, with a best score of 109 not out against the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012.