It hasn’t been the easiest season for Rohit Sharma with the bat in IPL 2025. The experienced opener and Mumbai Indians star is still getting runs here and there, but there’s one problem that keeps showing up again and again- left-arm pace bowling.
Against certain types of bowlers, even the best can look a bit off. And this season, it’s clear that Rohit has had a hard time facing left-arm seamers.
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How often has Rohit Sharma fallen to left-arm pacers this season?
In the current IPL season, Rohit has already been dismissed four times by left-arm fast bowlers. That’s more than any other opener in the tournament so far. His average against this type of bowling is just 16.50.
He fell early to Khaleel Ahmed in the season opener. Then came his dismissal to Yash Dayal against Bengaluru. In his last game, Arshad Khan had removed him cheaply too.
Most recently, Mustafizur Rahman got him out for just five runs at the Wankhede in the match against Delhi Capitals.
Rohit Sharma has been dismissed by left-arm seam four times at #IPL2025 (with an average of 16.50).
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) May 21, 2025
This is the most by any opener in the competition this year.#MIvDC
MORE: ‘The Hitman of cricket’: Kieron Pollard opens up on Rohit Sharma’s greatness
Is this a new issue for Rohit Sharma?
Not really. If we look at his IPL career overall, Rohit has been dismissed by left-arm pacers 33 times, which is a notable number. His career average against them is 24.18,
So while the problem has become more visible in IPL 2025, it’s something that’s followed him around for years.
Why do left-arm seamers trouble Rohit Sharma so much?
One of the key reasons is the angle they create. A left-arm seamer bowling over the wicket to a right-handed batter like Rohit naturally sends the ball across him. This movement away makes it harder to time shots, especially if there is a swing involved.
There is also a kind of blind spot that comes into play. The delivery angle from left-armers can make it tough to read the line and length clearly, especially when the ball pitches just outside off-stump.