Rohit Sharma in the IPL: The transformation from 2008-2017 in pictures

2016 - The failure of the defence

Rohit had a stellar IPL season in 2016 with 486 runs, but couldn’t push his team past to the playoffs.

As was the case in 2014, the year after their 2015 IPL triumph wasn’t as expected, and the team had a mixed season, finishing fifth in the table and failing to qualify for the playoffs.

They did not manage to clinch the crucial games, with only two batsmen, Rohit being one of them, crossing the 300 run barrier. Their composition was badly hurt due to injuries, and a loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, where they were bowled out under 100, was a stingy defeat for them.

Rohit relied on his usual suspects, but the likes of Harbhajan Singh were off colour and couldn’t deliver the goods.

2017 - History in the making?

Can Rohit create history by being the first captain to win three IPL titles?

Back from a long injury lay-off, Rohit has eased back into the game, but still hasn’t played a single-handed match-winning knock from his side. The team has been the one to look to beat, winning almost everything on their way to the top of the points table.

He has three fifties under his name in the group stages, but can he inspire his side to go the full way this time, and become the first captain to win three IPL titles?