‘He just needs a couple of good shots’ - Jason Behrendorff backs skipper Rohit Sharma amid lean patch in IPL 2023

Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma has been going through a horrid run of form in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Having played 11 games in the ongoing competition so far, Rohit has only managed to score 191 runs. 

His poor form continued in Mumbai’s last game against Royal Challengers Bangalore as well. Both sides took each other on in the 54th game of the tournament at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday, May 9. Coming in to chase a target of 200 runs, Rohit failed to make an impact once again as he was sent packing by Wanindu Hasaranga for just seven runs.

Reflecting on his poor form, Mumbai Indians pacer Jason Behrendorff came forward and backed the skipper to get back in form quickly. He also opined that he has been hitting the ball really well in the nets.

"I love the intent Rohit came out with; he sort of stepped down the wicket and took the bowlers on, which was really good to see. He is hitting the ball really well in the nets, but it has not translated well at the moment out in the middle. But, we know how good Rohit is; he is an absolute class player, and he might just need a couple of good shots to bounce back to really good form," Behrendorff said in the post-match press conference.

MI register dominant victory against RCB

Talking about the game, Royal Challengers Bangalore notched up 199 runs on the board after the first innings. Coming in to chase the target, Ishan Kishan, Nehal Wadhera, and Suryakumar Yadav were sensational for the five-time champions.

Ishan Kishan opened the innings and amassed 42 runs in 21 deliveries. However, it was the brilliance of Suryakumar Yadav that propelled the side to a brilliant win. The 32-year-old scored 83 runs in just 35 deliveries, and he was accompanied by Nehal Wadhera, who scored a brilliant half century, amassing 52* runs in 34 balls, winning the game for Mumbai by six wickets.