Rohit Sharma had clear plan about his fitness, form: Mahela Jayawardene

New Delhi: Rohit Sharma’s re-engineered physique and renewed batting focus are no accident, according to Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene, who revealed that the 38-year-old arrived at the franchise’s pre-season camp with a detailed personal roadmap after “honest conversations” with the management last year.

Visibly leaner—having dropped 15 kg—and batting with conspicuous restraint at Friday’s net session inside the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Sharma concentrated almost exclusively on tightening his defensive technique, eschewing the lofted drives that once defined him. The drill-heavy afternoon, Jayawardene said, was typical of a player who has chosen to meet scrutiny over his international future head-on.

“He had a clear plan regarding his fitness,” the coach explained. “Some members of our set-up were involved in his training and he worked towards reaching a level he was comfortable with.”

Sharma’s limited competitive cricket since stepping away from Tests and T20Is had raised questions about his readiness for a marathon IPL and, potentially, the 2027 ODI World Cup. Jayawardene acknowledged the unusual circumstances but insisted the veteran compensated with purposeful off-season work.

“Even though he didn’t play much competitive cricket, he did a lot of skill work,” he noted. “He joined us from the first day of the camp and we had discussions on how to start. We ran several simulations and practice matches. For someone with his experience, a lot comes down to muscle memory and understanding situations.”

The early returns were emphatic: a 38-ball 78 against Kolkata Knight Riders in the tournament opener. Jayawardene traced the innings to months of methodical preparation.

“Since he was in Mumbai, he used our facilities whenever possible, but largely he knows what works best for him. He has stayed focused and relaxed and his presence has been very positive for the group. When I watched him in the nets, he looked in very good touch—his hand speed was excellent.”

With 26 days remaining until his 39th birthday, Sharma has made longevity his mission. Jayawardene believes the true gauge will be sustainability across the IPL’s gruelling schedule, but insisted the opener’s body and mind are finally aligned.

“He focused on his fitness for a couple of months and then resumed skill work,” the coach said. “He is clearly on a mission to prove his worth as an international-class cricketer.”