Is Rohit Sharma playing his final match for Mumbai Indians?

Mumbai Indians (MI) will be ending a disastrous season with their final game of the season against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday, May 17. MI are currently struggling at the bottom of the table with just four wins in thirteen games throughout the season. 

To make matters worse for the five-time champions, the tensions have risen in the camp to the point wherein former captain, Rohit Sharma could be leaving the franchise next season. Sharma was replaced by Hardik Pandya as MI captain ahead of IPL 2024.

This makes the game against LSG an emotional one for the MI fans as it could be Sharma’s last game in Mumbai colours. The star batter, who has been with MI since 2011, led the franchise to five IPL titles.

READ MORE: Rohit Sharma told to follow MS Dhoni's path if he wants to win the T20 World Cup as India captain

The incident with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) coaching staff, Abhishek Nayar has further added fuel to fire to the speculations of Sharma leaving the franchise after the end of the season. 

What happened between Rohit Sharma and Abhishek Nayar?

In a video released by KKR on their social media channels, Rohit Sharma and Abhishek Nayar were seen talking and having a friendly chat with each other. Although the disturbance and noise of the crowd is quite high in the video, Rohit is heard saying that,

“Everything has been changing bit by bit. It depends on them, I don't care about them. Whatever it is, it is a temple that I’ve built. Anyways it’s my last”

Clear audio of Rohit Sharma and Abhishek Nayar's conversation, he didn't said that it's his last IPL.

Please don't make any conclusions on half said words.🙏pic.twitter.com/9lbtZRQvQB

— Aryan 🇮🇳 (@Iconic_Hitman) May 10, 2024

Before fans could hear what Sharma had to say next, the video was cut short and later deleted by KKR from all their social media channels. Later on, KKR CEO Venky Mysore also tried downplaying the conversation, saying that there was nothing to it and the two were chatting about something else, on a podcast with RevSportz. 

READ MORE: Will Rohit Sharma join KKR for IPL 2025?

Rohit Sharma’s IPL career 

Rohit Sharma started playing for the Deccan Chargers (DC) in the inaugural season of the IPL, after impressing with his performances with the Indian team in the 2007 World Cup.Rohit won the IPL as a player with DC in 2009 before making the move to Mumbai in the 2011 Mega Auctions. 

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Although he joined in 2011, it was until 2013 when he was handed over the leadership duties of the team by then captain, Ricky Ponting. Leading the team for the very first time, Sharma went on to lift MI’s first ever IPL trophy and his first ever as a captain. Since then, Sharma and MI didn’t look back, winning four more titles with the team in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. 

Sharma became the most successful captain in the IPL alongside CSK legend MS Dhoni with both winning five IPL trophies as a captain. It will surely will be an emotional day for MI fans if Sharma does decide to leave the franchise after giving them numerous moments to cherish in his 13-year-old stint with the team.