Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach Mark Boucher has responded to the comments made by former India legend Sunil Gavaskar that Rohit Sharma should take a break from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season to manage his workload ahead of the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia in June.
During the pre-match press conference ahead of Mumbai's next match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR), Boucher was asked if Rohit had requested a break. Replying to this, the coach said, "No, I don't think he should take rest. That's not my call to make. Obviously, we want Rohit playing because he's a very good player and a leader as well."
"If it is the best for Rohit, and he comes up to me and says you know, I need a bit of a break', then yes, we will address that, and I will consider that. He hasn't done that. So yes, at the moment, if he is available to play, he will play," he added.
Rohit has been hot and cold for MI this season, with the team currently in eighth place in the IPL 2023 points table. This season, the stylish right-handed batter has scored 181 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 135.07 and is averaging 25.86. Meanwhile, MI need to be working hard to break into the top four for the playoffs, having missed out on reaching the playoffs in the last two IPL seasons. Therefore, it is unlikely that the support staff would choose to rest one of their key players.
Earlier, Gavaskar said that the 'Hitman' looks out of sorts and he needs to rejuvenate and come back fresh for the World Test Championship (WTC) final which is scheduled to be played after the conclusion of the cash-rich tournament.
"Rohit Sharma should take a break and keep himself fresh for the World Test Championship. Come back again for the last few matches, but right now take a breather himself. He is looking slightly preoccupied, maybe he is thinking about the WTC. I think he needs a little bit of a break," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
"Rohit Sharma should take a break and keep himself fresh for the World Test Championship. Come back again for the last few matches, but right now take a breather himself. He is looking slightly preoccupied, maybe he is thinking about the WTC. I think he needs a little bit of a break," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
The World Test Championship final is scheduled to be held at the Oval in London from June 7-11, and with the ongoing IPL scheduled, Indian players will not get much rest. This led Gavaskar to suggest that Rohit should consider taking a break.
However, it seems that Rohit will continue playing for MI unless he feels the need to take a break.
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