22 May 2025 : The Mumbai Indians booked their playoff berth with a commanding 59-run win over Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, and it was Rohit Sharma who captured the spotlight long after the final ball was bowled. Despite his early dismissal for 5, the former Mumbai Indians captain drew significant attention post-match, as he embarked on a heartfelt lap of the stadium alongside franchise co-owner Nita Ambani.
The two were locked in deep conversation as they made their way around the ground, a moment that resonated with the crowd, many of whom had vocally backed Rohit amid the franchise’s leadership shift last year. Rohit also announced his retirement from Test cricket earlier this month, and inaugurated the ‘Rohit Sharma Stand’ last week at the stadium, adding to the significance of the moment.
The walk alongside Ambani also came against the backdrop of a major decision taken by MI management ahead of the 2024 season, where Hardik Pandya was appointed as the franchise’s captain. The move was met with immense backlash from fans and experts alike, and MI endured a disastrous campaign that year, finishing bottom of the table with just four wins in 14 games.
But a year later, the side has turned things around dramatically. With the win over Delhi, MI confirmed their place in the playoffs, keeping alive their hopes of a top-two finish depending on other results.
Summary:
Rohit Sharma took an emotional lap at Wankhede, shared a notable moment with Nita Ambani, and energized fans with Kuldeep Yadav and Kevin Pietersen.