Rohit Sharma Sidelined with Hamstring Injury as Mumbai Indians Face Punjab Kings
The Mumbai Indians (MI) have encountered a significant hurdle in their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign. Former captain and opening batter Rohit Sharma is expected to miss the team’s fifth match against the Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium following a recurring hamstring injury.
Injury Sustained Against Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Sharma sustained the injury during Mumbai’s recent home fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Chasing a competitive total, the 38-year-old retired hurt in the sixth over after scoring 19 runs off 13 deliveries, which included two boundaries and a maximum. The injury flared up prior to a delivery from fast bowler Rasikh Salam, prompting a lengthy on-field evaluation by the Mumbai Indians physiotherapy team before Sharma walked off the pitch.
Mumbai ultimately lost the match, marking their third consecutive defeat in four games this season.
Official Updates from the Mumbai Indians Camp
Ahead of the pre-match press conference, a Mumbai Indians spokesperson provided a brief update on the veteran opener’s status.
“The medical staff is assessing him. An official update will be given when available,” the spokesperson stated. Despite the concern, Sharma was observed lightly jogging during the evening training session at the Wankhede Stadium.
Teammate Sherfane Rutherford addressed the media following the RCB match, noting the uncertainty surrounding the injury. “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,” Rutherford explained.
Rohit Sharma’s IPL 2026 Performance
Sharma, who recently celebrated his 15th year with the franchise, has been a reliable run-scorer at the top of the order this season. His absence leaves a significant gap in the Mumbai Indians batting lineup.
Current Season Statistics
| Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Strike Rate | Fifties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 137 | 52 | 146.15 | 1 |
The veteran batter has a documented history of lower-body injuries. Similar hamstring issues forced him to miss matches during the IPL 2020 campaign and segments of the 2016-2017 calendar.
Will Jacks Set to Join the Squad
In a positive development for the struggling franchise, the Mumbai Indians confirmed that England all-rounder Will Jacks is en route to India. Jacks, who has yet to feature in the IPL 2026 tournament, is expected to join the squad shortly and could provide a much-needed balance to a team looking to reverse its losing streak.