Kamal Ghorui
Rohit Sharma’s availability remains the biggest talking point ahead of Mumbai Indians’ crucial clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday, with the veteran opener still not fully cleared after his hamstring injury.Rohit, who has been sidelined since April 12, continues to be a doubtful starter for the Wankhede encounter. While there has been some encouragement with the former captain batting extensively in the nets, the team management is unlikely to take any risks unless he is fully fit.His absence has been deeply felt in what has been a stop-start campaign for Mumbai Indians. At the halfway stage, their fate is still in their own hands, with seven matches left and 14 points still up for grabs, but their performances so far have left little margin for error.MI have been hot and cold this season, more cold than hot. Their struggles are laid bare in the numbers, and Rohit’s absence has only amplified the problem. They have scored just 1173 runs, the lowest among all teams, while their Powerplay returns of 366 are also the poorest in the league. Without Rohit at the top to provide stability or early momentum, the batting unit has repeatedly failed to set the tone.The inconsistency extends across the lineup. Tilak Varma, their highest run-getter, is still outside the top bracket of the tournament’s leading scorers. Suryakumar Yadav, who dominated last season, has struggled to find rhythm, while Hardik Pandya and Sherfane Rutherford have also endured lean patches.Up against them is a Sunrisers Hyderabad side that has been the benchmark with the bat this season. They boast significantly superior numbers across the board, including total runs, averages, and six-hitting, with multiple players in strong form.SRH’s bowling has also improved, with Pat Cummins returning to lead the attack and young pacers stepping up, turning what was once a weak link into a strength.The Wankhede Stadium is expected to produce another high-scoring contest, with the average first-innings total hovering above 200. However, MI’s recent inconsistency at home, including a collapse in their last outing against CSK, adds to the pressure.As things stand, Rohit Sharma remains a doubtful starter. His return could provide a much-needed boost, but unless he is fully fit, Mumbai Indians may once again have to navigate a must-win situation without one of their most experienced and influential players.
