Mumbai Indians’ Struggles Continue in IPL 2026 Without Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma’s Absence Due to Injury

NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma, the former captain of the Mumbai Indians, was sidelined for their important IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. The seasoned player, who has led the franchise to five IPL titles, was rested following a hamstring injury sustained in his previous outing.

Last-Minute Fitness Assessment

There was a cloud of speculation regarding Rohit’s availability, as the team assessed his fitness right up to the final moments. Ultimately, the Mumbai Indians decided to play it safe by not risking his health.

Changes to the Line-up

In Rohit’s absence, Quinton de Kock stepped in as the opener, teaming up with Ryan Rickelton at the top of the order. Despite these changes, the Mumbai Indians faced their fourth consecutive defeat, losing the match by seven wickets to the Punjab Kings.

Coach Mahela Jayawardene’s Update

Post-match, Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene provided insights into Rohit’s condition. "He (Rohit) started running yesterday; we’ll take it day by day to see how he feels. He knows his body better than anybody else, so it’s nothing serious, but we don’t want to push him. It’s still early in the season," Jayawardene mentioned during the press conference.

Team Struggles: A Collective Responsibility

Jayawardene stressed that the team’s current struggles should not fall on any single player. "It’s on every one of us when we are not doing well. It’s not just one individual. It’s on me and everyone involved in the management to figure out how we can improve," he asserted.

After a victory against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the start of their IPL 2026 campaign, Mumbai has since experienced setbacks against Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and now Punjab Kings.

Moving Forward: Team Management’s Role

“I know we are playing good cricket; however, the other teams are performing at a higher level with more confidence. We need to focus on controlling the aspects we can,” Jayawardene added. He highlighted the need for the entire franchise, including the management, to enhance their performance, aiming for a rhythm that would lead to a few much-needed victories.

With this latest result, the Punjab Kings surged to the top of the points table, boasting four wins and one no-result, surpassing the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians fell to ninth place, securing only one win out of five matches in the season so far.