Kamal Ghorui
MUMBAI: In a big blow to the Mumbai Indians, already reeling after three straight defeats, their former captain and star opener Rohit Sharma is set to miss the team’s fifth match of IPL 2026 against Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium due to a recurrence of a hamstring injury, TOI has learnt.Rohit sustained the injury during Mumbai Indians’ previous clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the same venue. Providing an update ahead of the pre-match press conference, addressed by Naman Dhir, an MI spokesperson said, “The medical staff is assessing him. An official update will be given when available.” During the team’s training session later in the evening, Rohit was seen jogging at the Wankhede Stadium.
The MI spokesperson also confirmed that England allrounder Will Jacks, who has not featured in the IPL so far, “is on his way and will join the team soon.”Rohit picked up the injury during the second innings against RCB and retired hurt in the sixth over of the chase. MI went on to lose the match, their third defeat in four games this season. He walked off after scoring 19 off 13 balls, with two fours and a six, following a lengthy on-field treatment by the team physio before a delivery by Rasikh Salam.Teammate Sherfane Rutherford said after the game, “I’m not entirely sure yet – perhaps it’s a bit of a hamstring issue – but I can’t say for certain. I was in the dugout, so I don’t have much information on it.”Rohit, who recently completed 15 years with MI, has scored 137 runs in four matches, including a half-century. However, the 38-year-old has had a history of hamstring issues, having missed games in IPL 2020 and parts of the 2016-17 season due to similar injuries.
