Rohit Sharma’s stump-mic chatter has become a regular feature in recent cricket matches, and the former Mumbai Indians captain was at it again during the IPL 2024 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
As Dinesh Karthik unleashed a flurry of boundaries against MI bowlers in the death overs, Rohit couldn’t resist a playful dig at the RCB batter. “Shabash DK, World Cup khelna hain abhi,” Rohit was heard saying, referring to the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.
Karthik’s blistering knock of 53 not out off 23 balls propelled RCB to a competitive 196/8 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The wicketkeeper-batter finished the innings in style, hitting Akash Madhwal for two sixes and a four in successive balls to garner 19 runs from the final over.
Karthik’s half-century came off just 22 balls, showcasing his exceptional finishing abilities. He struck five boundaries and four sixes, guiding RCB close to the 200-run mark.
Rohit later clarified that his stump-mic banter is not intentional. As the captain of the Indian team, he positions himself in the slip cordon to assess DRS decisions and communicate with fielders. These conversations often get picked up by the microphone.
“I don’t have any favorite line as such and I don’t even do it deliberately,” Rohit said. “Now I am the captain so I stand in the slips, because the angle from there helps me get a better look at the fielders and take stock of DRS. So I keep talking to the fielders and it gets recorded.”
