[Watch] Romario Shepherd takes Rohit Sharma's autograph ahead of MI-LSG IPL 2024 clash
Mumbai Indians (MI) all-rounder Romario Shepherd requested former captain Rohit Sharma's autograph in the dressing room balcony ahead of their final match of IPL 2024 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium on May 17. The moment transpired after the toss and before the start of play as the West Indian approached Rohit, who looked at him before signing his autograph.
Shepherd joined MI this season and is playing the ongoing LSG clash, where Rohit was named as the Impact Sub.
There have been speculations on this being Rohit's last game for MI, and the West Indian did not miss the opportunity to pay tribute to the champion cricketer with this heartwarming gesture.
Here is a video of the same:
Shepherd, playing his sixth game of the season in the LSG encounter, endured a torrid time with the ball. He conceded 30 runs in his two overs.
Meanwhile, Rohit has struggled for runs lately and has scored only 349 runs at an average of under 30 in 13 games this season. The 37-year-old was replaced by Hardik Pandya as captain during the off-season ahead of IPL 2024 after over a decade at the helm.
Shepherd and the MI bowlers come apart once again in LSG clash
Unfortunately for MI, their dismal IPL 2024 season with the ball continued as LSG amassed 214/6 in 20 overs after being asked to bat first.
Nicholas Pooran smashed a sensational 29-ball 75, while skipper KL Rahul controlled the innings with a 41-ball 55. With only four wins in 13 outings, MI are currently sitting at the bottom of the points table.
While Nuwan Thushara and Piyush Chawla impressed with three wickets each, the rest of the bowlers were taken to the cleaners by Pooran's onslaught.
A defeat in the ongoing clash will confirm a last-place finish for Hardik Pandya's unit. Picked among the pre-tournament favorites, MI have struggled for form throughout the season, becoming the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention.
Rohit has scored only the lone 50+ score in the entire IPL season, a century against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). With uncertainty over his MI future, the veteran batter will hope for a big score to finish a disappointing campaign.
LSG defeated MI in the earlier meeting between the sides by four wickets at Lucknow.