IPL 2018: Rohit Sharma Should Open for Mumbai Indians - Lalchand Rajput

Former Indian cricketer Lalchand Rajput believes Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma should open the innings for the franchise. The Indian opener has been playing in the middle order, in the interest of his franchise.

Being one of the best opening batsmen in world cricket, many have questioned his exclusion to open the innings. But Rajput believes Rohit play his best as an opener.

“Rohit is a prolific opening batsman, who has done exceptionally well for India as an opener. So, opening and playing free is important for him. If you start well, then you can pile up a big score. You have to open with Rohit, as simple as that,” Rajput said.

“When you bat at number four after losing two wickets, it is a different ball-game, rather than opening. It (Rohit opening the innings) will help Mumbai because it will get a good start, as the start is important,” the former Mumbai opener added.

“However, Rohit is such a player, once he gets the 30s, he makes it big,” Rajput, a domestic bulwark, said.

Rohit has not been quite good in the middle-order for Mumbai Indians.

Despite his match-winning 94 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Rohit did not even cross 20 run mark in the remaining 5 games.

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Mumbai Indians are yet to hit top gear

Indians have not looked at their best so far this season. They are known to be the slow starters in the league as they traditionally get their momentum in the second half of the tournament.

But only win from six games is an alarming alert to the franchise as they will now need to win at least seven games in the remaining eight to stand a chance to qualify for playoffs this year.

Their batting has been wobbly at times, while their bowling is not at its best.

They have a couple of very close games as luck did not favor the franchise so far.

However, they will need to change shuffle their lineups quickly and get the right combination to win games from here on.

Rajput also suggested that Mumbai Indians should look at South African all-rounder JP Duminy and replace Kieron Pollard, who looked completely out of sorts.

“If a certain player is not doing well, you have to look at it. He (Pollard) is not in good form and has not (performed) well. It is the time that it (MI) looks for other options and (J.P.) Duminy is the other option,” added Rajput.

It remains to be seen if Mumbai Indians will finally decide to let Rohit Sharma open the innings and push young Ishan Kishan or Even Lewis into the middle order.

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