In a touching moment that has gone viral across social media platforms, Rajasthan Royals (RR) pacer Akash Madhwal showed a beautiful gesture of respect towards his former captain Rohit Sharma and his wife Ritika Sajdeh following the IPL 2025 clash between RR and Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday.
Despite a dominant performance by MI, who crushed RR by a whopping 100 runs to move to the top of the IPL 2025 points table (albeit temporarily), it was the post-match moment of humility and admiration that truly stole the spotlight.
A Moment of Respect and Gratitude
Madhwal, who made his IPL debut under Rohit’s captaincy in the 2023 season and impressed with his raw pace and death-over accuracy, was seen folding his hands in a traditional Indian ‘namaste’ as he greeted Rohit and Ritika after the game. The interaction, which occurred during the post-match proceedings, showed Rohit acknowledging Madhwal’s gesture and pointing towards the stands, where Ritika Sajdeh was seated.
Madhwal respectfully greeted Ritika with folded hands as well, and she responded with a smiling wave, clearly touched by the gesture. Rohit, in turn, signed Madhwal’s jersey, marking a moment of mutual respect and camaraderie that warmed fans’ hearts. The scene was captured in a video that quickly went viral on social media, with fans hailing Madhwal’s humility and deep-rooted values.
“Respect is not demanded, it’s earned. Akash Madhwal showed what it means to stay grounded,” a user posted on X (formerly Twitter), echoing the sentiment of many fans online.
Madhwal’s Journey: From MI Prospect to RR Opportunity
Akash Madhwal’s IPL journey is an inspiring one. After debuting for Mumbai Indians under Rohit’s guidance, he made headlines in 2023 with his pace and discipline. However, the 2024 season saw him struggle for game time amidst a crowded bowling lineup. MI eventually released him ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, where Rajasthan Royals picked him up for ₹1.2 crore.
Thursday’s game marked Madhwal’s first appearance of the season, and though he went wicketless against his former franchise, he made an impact with his heartfelt post-match gesture.
Rohit Sharma’s Milestone & Return to Form
On the field, Rohit Sharma reached a historic milestone, becoming only the second player in IPL history to score 6,000 runs for a single franchise. With 6,024 runs for MI, he now trails only Virat Kohli, who leads the tally with 8,871 runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Rohit played a pivotal role in MI’s massive win, scoring a fluent 53 off 36 balls, featuring nine boundaries. It was his third half-century of the ongoing season and a sign of resurgent form.
After a sluggish start to IPL 2025, where he managed just 56 runs in his first five matches, Rohit has bounced back spectacularly, notching 234 runs in his last five innings, including two not-out fifties.
This return to form has come at a critical juncture for Mumbai Indians, as the team looks to solidify its place in the playoffs and aim for a sixth IPL title under new leadership but with the seasoned Rohit anchoring the batting order.
Social Media Reactions
The moment between Madhwal, Rohit, and Ritika has sparked an emotional response online. Fans and cricket experts alike praised Madhwal for his gesture of humility, while also celebrating Rohit’s impact as a mentor and leader.
“This is the culture Rohit Sharma builds—respect, unity, and leadership,” another fan posted.
“You can take Madhwal out of MI, but not the MI values out of Madhwal,” a popular cricket page captioned the video.
Looking Ahead
With the playoff race heating up, both Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals have their work cut out. While MI will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad, RR are expected to regroup and reassess after the crushing defeat.
But amid the runs, wickets, and numbers, moments like these transcend the game—showing that cricket isn’t just about competition, but also about the relationships, mentorship, and respect that define it.
