Watch: Spencer Johnson stops Rohit Sharma from falling down after on-pitch collision

Rohit Sharma, on Sunday, played an IPL game without being the captain of Mumbai Indians for the first time since 2013. The India superstar was the captain of the IPL heavyweights from 2013 to 2023.

In 2013, he led Mumbai to their first title and went on to transform them into IPL giants from underachievers. Under his captaincy, Mumbai Indians became the first franchise to win the IPL three, four and five times. However, Mumbai Indians decided to change their captain ahead of IPL 2024 after underperforming in recent seasons.

In 2021 and 2022, they could not even qualify for the playoffs. In 2023, they did qualify for the playoffs but could not make it to the final. And after three seasons in a row without qualifying for the final or winning the title, Mumbai Indians sacked Rohit Sharma and announced Hardik Pandya as his replacement.

Rohit Sharma saved by Spencer Johnson:

After being sacked as the captain of Mumbai Indians, Rohit Sharma took the field in IPL for the first time on Sunday during the game against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The right-handed batsman looked in good touch although he could not power his team to a win.

He scored 43 runs off 29 balls with the help of seven fours and one six. Sai Kishore sent him back by trapping him in front of the wicket. While Rohit Sharma was batting, he was saved by Spencer Johnson from falling awkwardly and suffering a freak injury.

The incident took place on the final ball of the tenth over when Rohit Sharma was up against Spencer Johnson. It was a wide delivery outside off from the Australian pacer and the former Mumbai Indians captain sliced the delivery for a four. As the ball was running towards the boundary, Rohit had his eyes on the ball while he was also running on the pitch.

As a result, he did not see that Johnson was standing in his way and ended up colliding with him. The Gujarat Titans pacer then held Rohit by both of his hands to stop him from falling.

Watch:

pic.twitter.com/2fv0CwvMCn

— BALLTAMPERER 📷 (@longofff) March 24, 2024

Talking about the game, the Titans beat Mumbai Indians by six runs to start their campaign with a win. Asked to bat first, the Titans scored 168 for 6 in 20 overs. In reply, Mumbai Indians finished their innings on 162 for 9.