Rohit Sharma Returns to Field Post-Test Retirement as MI Kick Off Training for IPL 2025 Resumption

Just a week after announcing his retirement from Test cricket, Rohit Sharma was back in action, returning to the Wankhede Stadium as Mumbai Indians resumed training ahead of the IPL 2025 restart. The league, which was temporarily suspended due to the India-Pakistan conflict, is set to resume on May 17.

Rohit looked right at home as he took part in a full training session on Tuesday evening, preparing for the final stretch of the season. Mumbai Indians have two league matches left—against Delhi Capitals on May 21 at Wankhede, and against Punjab Kings in Jaipur on May 26—both crucial as the team fights for a spot in the playoffs.

The veteran opener was seen batting in the nets alongside teammates Tilak Varma, Karn Sharma, Mitchell Santner, and Robin Minz, with the franchise sharing glimpses of the session on social media.

Though Rohit had a slow start to the season, he found form in April with a blistering unbeaten 76 against Chennai Super Kings, followed by a composed 70 in a win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. In MI’s last outing before the break, the 37-year-old hammered 53 against Rajasthan Royals and shared a dominant 116-run opening stand with Ryan Rickelton, helping MI seal a massive 100-run win.

As the joint-most decorated player in IPL history—with six titles, five as MI captain and one with the now-defunct Deccan Chargers—Rohit remains a key figure in the leadership group, even as Hardik Pandya leads the side.

Off the field, Rohit made headlines last week with his decision to retire from Test cricket, closing the chapter on an 11-year career in the format. In 67 Test matches, he scored 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries.

Now, with the red ball behind him, Rohit’s focus is firmly on white-ball glory as he looks to guide MI through the final leg of the IPL season—and possibly toward another title.