Rohit Sharma Injury Update: Will the Former Indian Captain Take Field Against SRH?

In Rohit Sharma's three absences this season, MI secured only one victory, suffering two disappointing defeats while missing their veteran opener.

Rohit Sharma Injury Update: Will the Former Indian Captain Take Field Against SRH?

Rohit Sharma is expected to return to action against SRH. (via X)

In Short
  • Rohit Sharma has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since April 12, missing three crucial matches for Mumbai Indians.
  • He is reportedly recovering and may return for the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 29.
  • Mumbai Indians suffered a record 103-run defeat to Chennai Super Kings in Rohit's absence, highlighting his importance to the team.

The Mumbai Indians have faced a difficult IPL 2026 season so far, a situation exacerbated by the absence of Rohit Sharma. The veteran batter has been sidelined ever since he sustained a hamstring injury during their match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The five-time IPL winners were handed a humiliating 103-run loss by arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings, at the Wankhede Stadium. MI’s heaviest defeat in IPL history was defined by a complete breakdown in both batting and bowling. Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 101 off 54 balls steered CSK to a par first innings total of 207/6, which proved enough for the visitors to defend. Mumbai, in their chase, were bowled out for a mere 104 runs in 19 overs. 

MI’s chase was effectively over before it even began, as they slumped to 11/3 within the first three overs. While Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma’s 73-run partnership provided stability for a while, it could not bring Mumbai close, with CSK’s spin duo Akeal Hosein (4/17) and Noor Ahmad (2/24) picking up key wickets. It was Sharma whom MI missed the most, not just for his batting or experience, but for the stability that he provides at the top of the order. 

In fact, it was the first time in over a decade that the IPL ‘El-Clasico’ did not feature either Rohit Sharma or MS Dhoni. The former has already missed three crucial matches for MI, against PBKS, GT, and CSK, with his replacement, Danish Malewar, only managing two runs so far. Sharma suffered a right hamstring injury during the clash against RCB on April 12, where he had to retire hurt after scoring 19 off 13 balls.

However, it is understood that the 38-year-old is now on the road to completing his recovery and might be available for selection during the team’s upcoming home game against SRH, on April 29. Sources claim that the former Indian captain is working hard with trainers and coaches to gain full fitness. The Mumbai Indians team is currently taking a break in Jamnagar, and his availability will be confirmed once they resume training.

So far, Sharma has scored 137 runs in just four innings in IPL 2026, at an average of 45.66 and a strike-rate of 165.06. His only half-century of the season came against KKR, where he helped his team chase down a 221-run target.

Ex-India selector apologizes for omitting Rohit Sharma from 2011 World Cup squad

Former India opener K Srikkanth made a regretful confession, revealing that he still feels bad for leaving Rohit Sharma out of the 2011 World Cup squad. Sharma, despite having made his ODI debut back in 2007, did not get to be a part of the team that lifted the title. 

Rohit Sharma K Srikkanth on 2011 World Cup
K Srikkanth apologized to Rohit Sharma for not picking him in 2011 World Cup squad. (via India TV News)

Winning the ODI World Cup is the ultimate dream for a cricketer, but the trophy has so far eluded Sharma. The 38-year-old, who captained the Men in Blue to the 2023 World Cup final, has not won it so far, while having already won two T20 WCs and two CTs. He was also not a member of the MS Dhoni-led Indian squad that won the ODI World Cup in 2011, which ended the country’s 28-year drought.

BCCI’s chairman of selectors at the time, K Srikkanth, most recently, opened up about Sharma’s omission, apologizing for leaving out the right-hander. He explained that the decision not to pick him was strategic, given that the team required players who possessed multi-dimensional skills. By that time, Sharma had already played over 60 ODIs for India, having scored two hundreds and five half-centuries. He told The Week:

Poor fellow, he [Rohit Sharma] missed it. I still feel bad for him. I told Rohit one day in 2020, ‘I’m sorry, boss.’ It wasn’t intentional, we just wanted more all-round options. The team was packed with all-rounders.

Soon after the WC, he returned to the Indian ODI setup and later went on to replace Virender Sehwag as an opener. Sharma has scored a majestic 11,577 runs in 282 ODIs throughout his career, at an average of 48.84, including 33 hundreds and 61 fifties.

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