Rohit Sharma’s IPL century the perfect fairytale, but can India afford it at T20 World Cup?

Rohit Sharma scored only his 2nd IPL century but do India really need the same approach from their captain when the T20 World Cup comes around. There wasn’t a smidgeon of joy, not even a hint of a smile. A dozen years after his first three-figure knock, Rohit Sharma had doubled his tally of IPL centuries, but while the packed gathering at the Wankhede Stadium went bananas, the protagonist didn’t even raise his bat in acknowledgement of the applause. As significant as his individual accomplishment was, Rohit’s second IPL ton was doomed to come in a losing cause, Mumbai Indians’ chase of Chennai Super Kings’ 206 for four ending 20 short. If and when the Indian captain overcomes the disappointment of the crushing loss, he will reflect on his own effort with a hint of satisfaction, if not contentment. After four consecutive middling seasons – post 2019, his highest tally was 381 in 2021, his best strike-rate was 132.80 last year when he made 332 runs at 20.75 – Rohit has rediscovered his IPL mojo. Whether that has anything to do with how he was stripped of the captaincy despite his exceptional track record is open to question. But batting with the freedom that has become his calling card in white-ball internationals, Rohit has already amassed 261 runs in six innings this season, an average of 52.20 and a strike-rate of 167.31 suggesting a happy fusion of consistency and unfettered aggression. With the T20 World Cup less than a month and a half away, these are encouraging signs from an Indian perspective. Things aren’t as rosy for his franchise; their campaign having gone pear-shaped after a fourth defeat in six outings.The temptation to hold Rohit responsible for Mumbai’s inability to breast the tape might be overwhelming in certain quarters; if anything, the 36-year-old too might feel that he must be apportioned some blame, though he will also concede that Matheesha Pathirana, the latest Sri Lankan slinging sensation, did a Bumrah on Mumbai’s batters. Much like the celebrated Indian paceman, Pathirana dealt crippling blows at crucial times, first dismissing Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav in the space of three deliveries after the former had helped Rohit add 70 for the opening wicket, then returned to evict Tilak Varma, who had put on 60 for the third wicket with his former captain. When the left-handed Varma was dismissed, MI were still in control, 130 for three in 13.5, needing 77 in 37 deliveries which, with seven wickets in hand on a small ground, a flat deck and a dew-infested outfield, ought to have been little more than a walk in the park.