'Much fitter': Rohit Sharma gets Mumbai Indians head coach's boost ahead of IPL 2026

MUMBAI: As Mumbai Indians head coach, Mahela Jayawardene has plenty to be pleased about heading into IPL 2026, starting March 28. Four MI players—India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, skipper Hardik Pandya and batter Tilak Varma—played key roles in India’s 2026 T20 World Cup triumph.

“Our boys are always going to inspire cricketers. And I'm very proud to have the likes of Rohit, Hardik, Surya, Tilak, Jassi, Booms. It's an amazing group of players, and we're very privileged to have them at Mumbai Indians,” Mahela said during the closing ceremony of the MI Junior season at the MIG Cricket Club Ground on Tuesday.





“I think in a World Cup, everyone has to lift their hand up because it's a tough tournament. I mean, each and every game was tough. So, there were different players who put their hand up and performed. And that's why you win a World Cup because everyone is in form. Obviously, at the back end, they peaked really well. I’m happy that we've had four guys from Mumbai (Indians) playing in the T20 World Cup (for India). So we're very thrilled about that,” he added.



‘T20 WC winners given extended break’

The MI head coach revealed that the franchise has granted its four World Cup-winning players an “extended break", with the quartet set to join the camp next week.

“Every year, our aim is to get there (win the IPL trophy). But I know it's a long season. So pre-season will start the way we usually start, working hard, getting new boys into the setup. And with our (T20) World Cup guys, we've given them a bit of an extended break so that they will join us next weekend. The overseas guys also flew in home and then they will join us. But they'll have a good one week training with us before the first game,” Mahela said.

England allrounder Will Jacks also impressed in the T20 World Cup, while the presence of players like Sherfane Rutherford, Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock adds depth to the squad.

“Absolutely,” he said, adding, “But I'm happy to have that headache rather than having no headache. Not just Jacksy but (there’s) Sherfane, Ryan (Rickelton), Quinny (Quinton de Kock). Everyone’s forgot Santner as well, who's the New Zealand captain. So I think it's a great group that we put together. We did all that before the T20 World Cup.”

“So I'm happy having all of them. It is going to be a healthy headache for me to have. But everyone knows how we operate in the camp. So, at the right time, we'll make the decisions. It's going to be tough decisions, but we'll make sure that the best decisions are being made.”

Backing Suryakumar, praise for Bumrah

Despite some criticism of Suryakumar’s form, Jayawardene backed him strongly. “I think SKY is not worried too much about it (his form). He's a class operator. He's always going to get there. He has contributed when it mattered. Yes, consistency is something that he would want to improve,” he said.

“I think the way he led the (Indian) team and kept everything together… There were a couple of tough decisions (that) they had to make during the season. And in the (T20) World Cup, they did. Hats off to him. I'm sure he'll have a good break and join the camp with a smiling face.”

On Bumrah, he added, “I think Jassi (Jasprit Bumrah) is always a special, special player. And it's just the work ethic he puts in and the way he thinks about the game that also matters. I think the way he executed in crucial moments for India in the (T20) World Cup was something special.”

Rohit’s role and Sri Lanka’s campaign

Jayawardene hinted that Rohit Sharma may not be used solely as an Impact Player, praising his improved fitness.

“He hasn't, but I think he has done a lot of work behind the scenes. He had a lot of skill work done in the last week. He joined us on the first day itself for our training camp. He looked good in the nets, which is very good. (we are seeing) a newer version of Rohit as well.. much fitter, very committed. So (we’re) looking forward to him leading us from the top.”

On Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup performance, Jayawardene said, “I think Sri Lanka played some really good cricket. They had a couple of tough games that they missed out. I mean, that's a World Cup. I think every match is important. It could have gone either way.”

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