"Have a feeling this is the last time" - Wasim Jaffer's verdict on Rohit Sharma's future with Mumbai Indians after IPL 2024

Former Indian opening batter Wasim Jaffer reckons that fans might be witnessing Rohit Sharma for the final time in Mumbai Indians' colours. Jaffer's tweet came amid Mumbai Indians' final IPL 2024 match against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium on May 17.

With the franchise owners replacing Rohit as captain with Hardik Pandya before IPL 2024, the former's fans have increased even more. Due to Pandya's failure to lift the five-time champions into the playoffs, calls began coming midway to bring back the veteran opener as captain.

With fans anticipating for the 37-year-old to walk away from the Mumbai Indians after IPL 2024, Jaffer wrote on X:

"Have a feeling this is the last time we are seeing Rohit in Mumbai Indians jersey."

The right-handed batter had taken charge from Ricky Ponting midway through the 2013 edition. He led Mumbai Indians to five title victories, the last of which came in 2020.

Rohit Sharma lays foundation for steep chase before departing for 68

The former skipper brought up a 28-ball half-century in the seventh over of the innings against LST as the home side were left to chase 215 in 20 overs. Dewald Brevis perished for 23, while Suryakumar Yadav failed to trouble the scores. Ravi Bishnoi claimed his maiden scalp of the innings in the form of Sharma, who faced 38 deliveries for his 68.

Earlier, Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to field first, citing the presence of dew. Half-centuries from KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran drove the visiting side to 214/6 in 20 overs. Ayush Badoni also dished out a couple of powerful hits to help their side finish well.

Pandya's men were the first to be knocked out of the ongoing edition of the tournament and stand no chance of making it to the playoffs. The Super Giants, meanwhile, are mathematically alive but need plenty of things to go their way.