Mumbai Indians have shared an important update regarding the fitness of Rohit Sharma, with head coach Mahela Jayawardene confirming that the injury is not serious but the team is being careful about his return.
The experienced opener missed the recent Indian Premier League 2026 clash against Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium due to a hamstring issue. The injury occurred during a previous match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he had to retire hurt mid-innings.
Before the game, team captain Hardik Pandya indicated that Rohit could miss a couple of matches as a precaution. Although the batter was seen doing light training sessions ahead of the fixture, he was ultimately not included in the playing XI.
Speaking after the match, Mahela Jayawardene explained that Rohit has already resumed light running and is closely monitoring his condition. He emphasized that while the injury is not severe, the team management does not want to rush his recovery, especially in the early phase of the tournament. The final decision on his return will be made by the medical team.
Meanwhile, the match result added to the struggles of Mumbai Indians this season, as they suffered their fourth defeat after losing to Punjab Kings. Led by Shreyas Iyer, Punjab successfully chased down a target of 196 with ease, thanks to strong performances from Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer.
One positive for Mumbai was the performance of Quinton de Kock, who impressed with an unbeaten century in his first appearance of the season.
Following the defeat, Mahela Jayawardene admitted that injuries have forced the team to experiment with different combinations. He also pointed out concerns with the bowling unit, stating that the team has struggled to make breakthroughs, which has affected overall performance.
As the tournament progresses, Mumbai Indians will be hoping for a quick recovery for Rohit Sharma while working on improving their form in upcoming matches.