IPL 2023: Suryakumar Yadav stands in for Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians captain against KKR

When Rohit was asked whether he will rest, he quipped, “I will leave it to Mark (Boucher).”  To this, the team’s coach Boucher added, “If he (Rohit) wants rest will give him.”

Rohit may sit out a few IPL games this season with an eye towards workload management, and Suryakumar Yadav will lead the team in his absence.

India has a packed international schedule, with the World Test Championship final starting at The Oval in London a week after the IPL final and the 50-over World Cup scheduled at home in October-November. Rohit, who has had a chequered injury history, will be keen to lead India on both those fronts. The Indian Express had reported ahead of the season that he is likely to pick and choose the IPL games he will play this season, though he will continue to travel with the team and will be guiding Surya from the dugout when he is not playing.

After the recent ODI series against Australia, Rohit had stressed that it was up to the players to keep themselves fit for national duty while turning out for their franchises in the IPL.

“It’s all up to the franchises now. They own them now. We have given some indications to the teams, but at the end of the day, it’s up to the franchises. And more importantly, it’s up to the players. They are all adults; they have to look after their bodies. If they feel it’s getting a bit too much, they can talk about it and take a break in one or two games. I doubt if that will happen, but,” Rohit had said.