New Delhi, April 11 – Mumbai Indians star Rohit Sharma celebrated his 15th year with the franchise on Friday, a journey that has seen him evolve from a promising batsman into the most successful captain in IPL history. As the celebrations continued, seamer Shardul Thakur offered heartfelt words for Rohit in front of the players and support staff in the dressing room, highlighting another aspect of his leadership.
“Well, everyone has spoken about his cricketing skills, but just off the field, not everyone can achieve what he has done. He has been the same person for a long time, of course, a much improved version, but yes, he hasn't changed much. He treats us the same way off the field from day one till now, so I would just say one thing: don't let the child in you die,” Thakur said in a video shared by the franchise across social media platforms.
Rohit began his IPL career with Deccan Chargers in 2008, but moved to MI in 2011, a transfer strongly endorsed by then-captain Sachin Tendulkar. He made his MI debut on April 10, 2011, against Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla, scoring an unbeaten 27 in a dominant eight-wicket win, sharing a match-winning partnership with Tendulkar.
Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard also congratulated Rohit, reflecting on his contributions as both a captain and a mentor to younger players. Under his leadership from 2013 to 2020, MI clinched five IPL titles, cementing his reputation as one of the most successful captains in the league’s history.
In a video shared by the franchise, Rohit expressed heartfelt gratitude to teammates, support staff, and franchise management, crediting the team environment for shaping his leadership journey. He acknowledged the collective effort behind the team’s success and the personal milestones he achieved during his long stint.
The former India skipper emphasised that the achievements were the result of a collective unit rather than individual brilliance, and underlined how the backing from the franchise and its stakeholders played a pivotal role in his evolution, both as a captain and as an individual. He also extended his gratitude to the franchise ownership, acknowledging their role in backing him during crucial phases of his career.