Rohit-Sharma-to-be-back-in-MI-next-game

Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL

Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma will be back in the team for their IPL 2021 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders after missing out on their season resuming match against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. In his absence, stand-in captain Kieron Pollard led the team to a 20-run defeat against their arch-rivals. The Hitman, it is being told, was given an additional time off as a precautionary measure after returning from the United Kingdom where he was part of India's Test squad and ended up as the team's leading run-getter.

Notably, Rohit had scored a brilliant hundred in the second innings of the fourth Test match against England and did not field in that game owing to a knee issue. However, Mumbai Indians' head coach Mahela Jayawardene said that the 34-year-old would take the field when the defending champions take on Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday.

"Rohit was batting and doing his running as well, but after coming back from the United Kingdom we felt that he needed an extra few days so he should be fine to play the next game," Jayawardene told the media after the match on Sunday.

The elegant opening batter, who has led this franchise to a record five IPL titles, is likely to be named India's T20I captain after the forthcoming T20 World Cup in UAE, with current skipper Virat Kohli announcing that he will step down.

Hardik had a little niggle: Jayawardene

Meanwhile, coach Jayawardene also suggested that all-rounder Hardik Pandya was rested as a precautionary measure due to a minor injury and should be back sooner than later.

"Hardik was training, he had a little niggle so again as a precaution we thought we should give him extra days to see how things are but it's nothing serious," Jayawardene addressed the same in the press conference.

IPL 2021 resumed in Dubai on Sunday after over a four-month break owing to the COVID-19 crisis which forced the abrupt interruption of the world's biggest T20 tournament. The action will shift to Abu Dhabi on Monday with the Royal Challengers Bangalore facing Kolkata Knight Riders. Sharjah is the only other venue which will be used to host the remaining IPL 2021 matches.