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Rohit Sharma's IPL 2026 Injury Scare: Final Call Before PBKS Clash

Mumbai Indians are yet to decide on Rohit Sharma's availability for their crucial IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings due to a hamstring injury. The former captain missed training and appeared with his leg strapped, raising concerns about the severity of the issue. His potential absence would force a major reshuffle in the MI lineup, possibly bringing in Quinton de Kock as opener. The team management is expected to make a final decision just before the match, with speculation about using Rohit as an Impact Substitute.

Key Points: Rohit Sharma Injury Doubtful for MI vs PBKS IPL Match

  • Rohit Sharma skips training
  • Hamstring injury assessment ongoing
  • Final call before match
  • Potential Impact Substitute role
  • MI may rework team combination
3 min read

IPL 2026: Rohit Sharma skips training, still under 'assessment', final call to be made just before the match

Mumbai Indians keep Rohit Sharma's status under wraps. Final decision on his hamstring injury to be made just before the PBKS match.

"The medical team and team management are still assessing him, and you will get to know as and when we will get to know - MI Media Manager"

Mumbai, April 15

The Mumbai Indians team management is keeping under wraps the availability of former captain Rohit Sharma for Thursday's match against Punjab Kings, with the team spokesman providing no information about him on Wednesday.

At the start of the pre-match press conference ahead of the Mumbai Indians' key encounter with PBKS, the media manager informed that no decision had been taken on Rohit's availability.

"The medical team and team management are still assessing him, and you will get to know as and when we will get to know," said the update from the team's media manager at the start of the press conference.

The 38-year-old Rohit had suffered a hamstring injury and had retired hurt in their previous match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He did not turn up for training on Tuesday and on Wednesday made a late appearance towards the end of the session -- his right leg strapped around the hamstring area, but did not bat. The 38-year-old former Indica captain has reportedly undergone some scans, raising doubts that the injury is quite serious and thus makes him doubtful for the PBKS match.

Rohit did some running and batted for some time towards the end of the session.

The MI team management has also not put out details of the extent of his injury, which has fueled speculation that IPL's most successful player with five titles is likely to miss the next match... and may be more than one game.

His unavailability is likely to cause more disruption in the team at a stage when it can ill afford that. Rohit had started IPL 2026 with a brilliant 78 in MI's victory over Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede. He followed that up with 35 against the Delhi Capitals. He was just looking to get going in the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru while chasing a massive target before disaster struck, and he had to walk off the middle.

If Rohit is unavailable, as is being expected on Wednesday evening, the Mumbai Indians will have to totally rework their plans, as bringing in Quinton de Kock as an opener will make it necessary to change the combination of foreign players, with Sherfane Rutherford losing his spot in the middle-order.

There is another theory doing the rounds, according to which MI will bring in Rohit as an Impact Substitute only to blast a few big ones at the start of the inning.

Whatever the MI think tank decides, it looks clear that they will take a final call on Rohit's availability late on Thursday.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Hamstring injuries are tricky, especially at 38. The Impact Player rule could be a masterstroke here. Let him come in just to powerplay if he's 70% fit. But only if the medical team clears him. His health comes first, no doubt.
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Aman W
All this secrecy is just creating unnecessary pressure. As a cricket-loving nation, we understand injuries happen. Just tell us straight - he's out for 2 matches. We'll support the team regardless. This "assessment till the last moment" drama is old now.
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Sarah B
Watching from the UK, but MI is my team! De Kock opening could actually be a positive change. Sometimes these forced shuffles work out for the best. Hope Rohit recovers soon though, the tournament is better with stars like him playing.
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Vikram M
Yaar, he just started so well! That 78 was pure class. This is a big blow. But let's be practical - we have a decent squad. Time for someone like Tilak or Brevis to step up. MI should plan without him and any appearance will be a bonus.
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Kavya N
As a physio student, I appreciate the caution. Rushing back from a hamstring strain can lead to a full tear and months out. The silent treatment from management isn't great, but the priority should be his recovery, not tomorrow's match. Wishing him a speedy recovery! ❤️

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