Cricket

IPL 2024: Wasim Akram expresses desire to see Rohit Sharma at KKR next year

May 8, 2024

Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has sparked fresh speculation about Rohit Sharma‘s IPL future, suggesting the Indian opener might land at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) next season.

Akram’s comments come amidst a period of change for Mumbai Indians (MI). After a disappointing IPL 2024 season under new captain Hardik Pandya, rumours have swirled about Rohit’s potential departure from the franchise he led to five IPL titles.

Wasim Akram wants to see Rohit Sharma open the innings for KKR in IPL 2025

Akram, speaking to a news channel, opined that Rohit wouldn’t be with MI next year. He further stated his belief that the right-handed batter would be a valuable addition to the KKR setup, mentioning the potential mentorship of Gautam Gambhir, the former KKR captain and current mentor.

“I have a feeling he won’t be at Mumbai Indians next season. I would love to see him at KKR. Imagine him open there, Gauti as a mentor, Iyer as a captain, they will have a very strong batting unit, on that wicket. He bats very well on any wicket, he is that great a player. But it will be good to see him at KKR,” Akram was quoted as saying to India Today.

It remains to be seen if Akram’s prediction holds weight. The IPL 2025 player auction is still months away, and both MI and KKR’s strategies are unknown. However, his comments highlight the ongoing shuffle within the IPL as teams look to revamp their squads for the upcoming season.

Also WATCH: Rohit Sharma acknowledges Hardik Pandya with a pat on the back during MI vs SRH clash | IPL 2024

Rohit’s performance in IPL 2024

Rohit Sharma’s IPL 2024 performance has been a mixed bag. Here’s a breakdown:

Runs: He managed to score 326 runs in 11 matches so far at an average of 32.60. This isn’t a bad average, but it’s below his usual standards.
Strike Rate: His strike rate stands at 158.29, indicating he’s looking to score quickly.
Early promise vs Later struggles: He scored most of his runs in the first six games, even scoring a century against Chennai Super Kings. However, his form dipped in the second phase of the tournament, managing only 33 runs in his last five innings.