(Image source from: Indiatoday.in)
Mumbai Indians (MI) have firmly put an end to the circulating rumors regarding their past captain Rohit Sharma possibly being traded to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) before the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL).
The speculation picked up speed on social media after KKR hired Abhishek Nayar as their new head coach, taking over for Chandrakant Pandit. Nayar has a strong relationship with Rohit, having coached and trained him during his return to international cricket earlier this year. Their friendship sparked fan curiosity about the possibility of Rohit joining KKR. However, MI’s social media team swiftly dismissed the speculation with a witty post on X (formerly Twitter). The franchise stated, “The sun will rise again tomorrow, that’s certain, but at night” — suggesting that transferring to the Knight Riders was “not just tough, but impossible.”
Since joining the team in 2011, Rohit Sharma has been the face of the Mumbai Indians. Under his leadership, MI has become one of the most successful teams in IPL history, winning five titles and creating a winning atmosphere based on steady leadership and reliability. The 2023 season marked a significant change, with Hardik Pandya returning from the Gujarat Titans to take on the captaincy. Rohit has remained a senior batsman and mentor in the team. With the new Impact Player rule, he has sometimes been taken in and out of games — a situation that reportedly sparked rumors of internal issues, although no solid evidence has emerged.
On the international scene, Rohit recently stepped away from T20Is after leading India to a memorable T20 World Cup win in Barbados, where they narrowly defeated South Africa in an exciting final. Earlier this year, he also retired from Test cricket after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, focusing only on ODIs.
In India’s most recent ODI series with Australia, Rohit displayed his usual skill, scoring a smooth fifty in the second match and an elegant century in the final game, even while India lost the three-match series. For now, MI supporters can be at ease knowing their 'Hitman' is not leaving.
