In Pics: Rohit Sharma departs early for eight runs in PBKS vs MI encounter

IPL 2025’s second qualifier match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI) finally started after two hours of waiting. PBKS won the toss and chose to bowl first, and constant rain meant that the game had to be delayed. Thankfully, no overs were lost as the two sides came out to the field in a bid to qualify for the finals. Rohit Sharma and Jonny Bairstow came out to open the batting and would have hoped for an encore from the last game. 

Rohit Sharma, who was dropped twice by Gujarat Titans fielders in the last game, went on to score 81 runs. On Sunday night, the veteran batter was dropped by Azmatullah Omarzai in the fifth ball of the second over off Kyle Jamieson’s bowling. Shreyas Iyer removed Arshdeep Singh out of the attack and asked Marcus Stoinis to bowl the third over. 

Watch the video here:

Amazing start for Punjab Kings after Rohit Sharma got at 7 balls 8 runs 👏🏻👏🏻#MIvsPbks #Qualifier2 pic.twitter.com/yqR9DczQ8y

— Anjali Modakia (@AumAnant) June 1, 2025

Rohit Sharma dismissed for 8 from 7 balls.#Ahmedabad | #MIvsPBKS | #Qualifier2 pic.twitter.com/Tvwc4QkOKw

— Ankit Devnath (@The_ankit_here) June 1, 2025

No catch drop No party for Rohit Sharma

Stoinis abused Vadapav after taking his wicket, nobody respects Vadapav#MIvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/S0GPF8mVBA

— ` (@SledgeVK18) June 1, 2025

Stoinis has struck pure gold with a crafty short-of-length ball that outsmarted Rohit Sharma. After dodging a bullet with Omarzai’s drop, Rohit’s luck finally ran dry, miscuing a pull straight to Vyshak at deep square leg. #MIvPBKS pic.twitter.com/3Ad0m808VH

— Get Essentials (@pvprakash) June 1, 2025

In his very first ball, the veteran Aussie star was hit over his head for a boundary by Rohit Sharma. It was Stoinis who had the last laugh when he invited Rohit to play the pull shot, and the batter obliged. Vijaykumar Vyshak didn’t have to move an inch as he accepted a simple catch. Stoinis roared with delight as Rohit returned to the hut after scoring eight runs from seven balls. 

Mumbai Indians get off to quick start despite early wicket

The first over of the game, bowled by Arshdeep Singh, produced just four runs. The first two balls of the next over produced three runs before Bairstow decided to flex his arms. Veteran English wicketkeeper and batter swatted Jamieson for a huge six as the MI fans finally found their voice. 

Tilak Varma came out to bat at number three and began his innings with a couple of runs. In the next ball, Varma charged down the track and smashed Stoinis over his head for a six. To make matters worse, the ball was judged to be a no-ball with a free hit to follow. Luckily, it didn’t matter much as Varma could only take a single as MI ended at 30 for one after three overs.