Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has thrown down a fresh challenge for Rohit Sharma ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League season, urging the veteran Mumbai Indians star to target a big run tally that
has so far eluded him in his decorated T20 career.
While Rohit remains one of the IPL's most successful captains, Kaif believes that the next step for him lies in joining the elite list of consistent 600-plus run scorers.
Despite Rohit's immense achievements across formats, he has never crossed the 600-run mark in a single IPL season. His best came back in 2013, when he accumulated 538 runs while leading Mumbai Indians to the title. In the 2025 season, Rohit managed 418 runs, a figure Kaif felt still fell short of the high standards set by other top batters such as Virat Kohli.
"We talk about Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, but Rohit Sharma has not scored 700-800 runs in a season. In the IPL, he gets points for captaincy and experience, but when you compare him with Virat Kohli or some other batter, he doesn't score 600-700 runs. He scores in one or two matches and becomes the Man of the Match," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
Adding that the upcoming season could define Rohit's batting ambitions, Kaif noted that the 38-year-old opener would be eager to respond strongly following his lean returns in recent years. "So, the biggest test for him this time is to cross the 500-run or 600-run mark. Sai Sudharsan scored 750 runs this time. So, Rohit Sharma would also want to score around 600 runs because he has gotten lean and is in good form. He will be very hungry for runs in this IPL," he added.
Rohit, who recently restored his dominance in one-day cricket, achieved a career milestone by becoming the top-ranked ODI batter for the first time. The right-hander, aged 38, also became the oldest cricketer to reach the No. 1 spot in the ICC men's batting rankings.
His unbeaten century in the third ODI against Australia in Sydney, which guided India to a commanding nine-wicket win, sealed his position at the top. Kohli also scored an unbeaten 74 in the final ODI against Australia.
