Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar feels that since they are out of the IPL 2022 playoff race, the Mumbai Indians (MI) should consider resting some of their important players, including skipper Rohit Sharma, and giving younger players a chance in their place.

Several key players, including Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Kieron Pollard, have struggled to perform consistently in what has been a disappointing season for the five-time winners. While fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah took an incredible 5/10 in a match, he only has 11 wickets this season.

“Absolutely, there is nothing to play for and a lot of young careers have taken off when they get an opportunity to play in a non-pressure game. So, there is a case for someone like Rohit Sharma and Jaspritn Bumrah to rest, and Ishan Kishan to bat down the order. Now they have just got to plan for the future and look at other options,” Manjrekar said on ESPN Cricinfo.

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Manjrekar believes it may be time for Rohit to slip down the Mumbai Indians' order to observe how a younger player responds to the pressure of beginning the innings.

“Yes, the time has come. We know that in a different event like the T20 World Cup and Rohit Sharma will still be that dangerous player at the top of the order. In the IPL when you are playing so many games, there isn't the kind of pressure that you get in an international game. But I guess it is time for Rohit Sharma to bat down the order, see how the others respond to that same challenge,” he said.