IPL 2024: Rohit Sharma laughs seeing his old picture in Mumbai Indians' dressing room, says, 'I was struggling to get beard that time'

In a light-hearted moment within the Mumbai Indians dressing room, Rohit Sharma, the team's former captain, had a chuckle over his youthful appearance during the 2007 T20 World Cup. The walls of the dressing room are decorated with images from that iconic final, which marked Rohit's debut on the international cricket stage.

During this casual interaction, Rohit's teammate West Indian all-rounder Romario Shepherd affectionately called him "Young Ro". Looking at a picture of himself as a fresh-faced 20-year-old, Rohit jested, "Small Boy, No Beard. I was struggling to get a beard," highlighting the light beard he had back then. Curious, Romario inquired about his age at the time, to which Rohit replied that he was indeed 20.

This season, Rohit has been performing exceptionally well in the IPL. Over six matches, he has scored 261 runs, maintaining an impressive average of 52.20 and a strike rate exceeding 167. His performance peaked during a match against Chennai Super Kings, where he scored an unbeaten 105 off 63 balls. Despite his significant contribution, which included 11 boundaries and five sixes, Mumbai Indians couldn't secure the win, falling short by 20 runs.

Even as his teammates were dismissed one after another, Rohit remained unflinching, continuing to score at a rapid pace with a strike rate of 166.67. In this match, he also reached a personal milestone by becoming the first Indian to hit 500 sixes in T20 cricket — a testament to his enduring skill and consistency in the format.

Such moments are significant as they provide a glimpse into the bond and dynamics of a professional sports team. For fans, these stories from behind the scenes add a layer of richness to their following of the sport and their favourite players.

Rohit Sharma’s journey is not merely one of accumulating runs and setting records; it is also about growing and evolving in the spotlight, facing pressures with a smile, and inspiring the next generation of players.