I just think IPL is the tournament where Rohit Sharma needs to be free and just play: Simon Doull

Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma is having a poor IPL 2023. In 13 matches so far, the 36-year-old has scored only 257 runs, and with that, former New Zealand international Simon Doull believes that the opener should relinquish his captaincy, just like Virat Kohli and enjoy his cricket at the moment.

He believes that if Rohit gives up the Mumbai Indians’ captaincy, he will be free from pressure and can play his natural game. Doull also explained how it helped Kohli and Royal Challengers Bangalore as Faf du Plessis ended up becoming one of their most dependable batters in recent times.

“I was a big proponent of him (Virat Kohli) giving up the captaincy of RCB, much like I am with Rohit, now that he is the captain of India. I just think this is the tournament where he needs to be free and just play,” Doull said on Cricbuzz.

“When I talked about Virat and the captaincy, it was like every pressure was on him. Indian captaincy, three formats, RCB captaincy, and just to see that taken away, and it was never going to go to someone who he wasn’t going to respect. So there are only two or three players in world cricket that could have gone to Bangalore and been captain,” said the veteran.

Doull further added how RCB managed to sign the former South Africa international for a reasonable amount of money, and he so far has managed to take RCB to the playoffs in 2022 and RCB, under his able leadership, has done well in the ongoing tournament.

“They ended up buying Faf for good money. The case was already there, and it had to have his stamp of approval before they event went for him. So, he gives up the captaincy, he gives the stamp of approval, and they got Faf,” Doull further added.

Notably, RCB are currently fourth on the IPL points table, and if they manage to defeat Gujarat Titans on Sunday, May 21, the three-time finalists can qualify for another playoffs.