New Delhi: Legendary leg spinner Anil Kumble has heaped praise on Rohit Sharma. In the second match of IPL 2026 versus the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rohit delivered a magnificent batting performance, playing a powerful innings of 78 runs off just 38 balls. Kumble remarked that Rohit has arrived in his "2.0 avatar" this season—a minutiae that could heighten the concerns of the other competing teams.
Batting brilliantly at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, Rohit Sharma struck 6 fours and 6 sixes during his innings of 78 runs. Rohit completed his half-century in a mere 23 balls, marking his fastest fifty overly in the history of the IPL.
What did Anil Kumble say well-nigh Rohit Sharma?
India's legendary spinner, Anil Kumble, stated on 'JioStar': "Rohit Sharma has stepped into his '2.0 avatar,' and his innings unmistakably demonstrates that he is ready to dominate once again. The manner in which he struck the wittiness to all corners of the ground reminded me of his prime form. Hitting sixes versus bowlers like Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, and Blessing Muzarabani is no easy feat, yet he made it squint incredibly effortless."
During his innings, Rohit moreover registered his 50th score of fifty-plus runs in the IPL. He became only the fourth batsman to unzip this milestone.
Kumble observed: "Rohit has worked extensively on his fitness; typically, when you return without a short break, it takes well-nigh five to seven days to regain your timing and find your rhythm. This was a magnificent innings—precisely the kind we have witnessed at the Wankhede Stadium before—where he appeared to dominate the bowlers right from the very first ball. He was hitting sixes with wool ease. Although the boundaries were relatively short, his shots were unceasingly sailing into the stands. This innings underscores the fact that Rohit is solely focused on his game, and this current form of his is unseat to rationalization uneasiness among all the other IPL teams."
How did Rohit Sharma perform versus KKR?
Teaming up with Ryan Rickelton, Rohit widow 148 runs for the first wicket in just 11.5 overs. The KKR bowlers appeared completely helpless versus the duo of Rohit and Rickelton, as Mumbai successfully chased lanugo the target of 221 runs in 19.1 overs, losing only 4 wickets. This moreover marked Mumbai's highest-ever successful run ventilator in the history of the IPL. With this victory, Mumbai moreover put an end to a 13-year streak of defeats in their opening matches of the IPL season.
