Ahead of the highly anticipated IPL 2025 showdown between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), a light-hearted moment involving Rohit Sharma and Shardul Thakur has taken social media by storm.

The two Indian stars were seen engaging in a playful exchange during a practice session at Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium, where the 16th match of the season is scheduled to take place on April 4.

The video that’s now making waves online captures a cheerful Rohit Sharma approaching his former MI teammate Zaheer Khan, who is now mentoring the Lucknow franchise. But just as Rohit is about to greet Zaheer, Shardul Thakur jumps in with a hilarious comment.

“Rohit only comes to meet one person on the ground… The Lord!” Shardul jokingly exclaims.

twitter

 

Rohit bursts into laughter and responds,

“He’s calling himself the Lord now?”
To which Shardul replies,
“Of course! You’re the one who gave me that name.”

The candid moment between the two cricketers has quickly gone viral, with fans loving the light-hearted camaraderie. The clip has racked up thousands of views across platforms and is being widely shared among cricket circles.

Shardul Thakur, who was drafted into the LSG squad as a replacement for injured pacer Mohsin Khan, has made an impressive start to his season. The right-arm seamer has picked up 6 wickets in 3 matches, making an immediate impact for his new franchise.

One of his standout performances came against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he claimed 4 wickets, leading his team to a crucial victory. His form and experience have added depth to Lucknow’s bowling attack, and fans are excited to see more of “Lord Shardul” in the upcoming matches.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has yet to find his rhythm in IPL 2025. Opening the innings for Mumbai, the veteran batter has managed just 21 runs across 3 matches, raising concerns about his form.

After a disappointing 2024 campaign where Mumbai Indians failed to reach the playoffs, the five-time champions are banking on their former captain to bounce back with some big innings. MI batting coach Kieron Pollard remains optimistic, stating:

“Rohit is a champion player. A few bad games don’t define him. We believe he’ll return to form and play some match-winning knocks soon.”

With both teams looking to gain momentum early in the tournament, the MI vs LSG clash is expected to be a thrilling contest. Lucknow will rely on their balanced squad and home support, while Mumbai will be desperate for their big names, including Rohit, to step up.

The viral video has added a touch of humor and warmth ahead of the intense showdown, reminding fans of the human side of the game—where friendships, fun, and laughter are just as important as fierce competition.