Mumbai Indians (MI) have subtly refuted baseless rumours of Rohit Sharma leaving the franchise. Four days ago, all major cricket websites reported that Abhishek Nayar had been appointed as the head coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
Rohit Sharma leaving MI for KKR?
KKR didn’t confirm anything, until earlier today. But to begin with, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility that the 2-time IPL champions would promote Nayar, who is their current assistant coach, as Chandrakant Pandit’s replacement. This development gave birth to the rumour that Rohit would leave MI.
You see, Nayar and Rohit have been long-time friends. They played for Mumbai in domestic cricket for years, and the former became the latter’s personal trainer. For years, Rohit has sought Nayar’s help. Whether it be making technical changes or his recent physical transformation, where he lost about 10 kilograms for the India vs Australia ODI series.
5-time champions refute rumours
The reports suggested that Rohit will leave MI for KKR now that Nayar has taken over. But the 5-time champions have rubbished these claims in a cheeky manner. “𝗦𝘂𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 ye toh confirm hai, but at (K)night… मुश्किल ही नहीं, नामुमकिन है,” MI wrote on social media.
The reports were a bit shocking to begin with. It’s not like Nayar became associated with KKR last year. He has been involved with them since 2018. Yet, in all of those years, Rohit never made a move to leave MI for them. So, why would he now?
Although Rohit’s journey with MI began in 2011, much like Virat Kohli‘s relationship with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), he won’t, in all likelihood, leave them before he retires from the IPL itself.
