Rohit Sharma was absent from Mumbai Indians’ extended net session on Tuesday, sparking fresh questions over his fitness ahead of the side’s next IPL fixture against Punjab Kings on Thursday. The veteran’s non-participation is being linked to a hamstring problem picked up during MI’s game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday.
Rohit had to retire hurt during the sixth over of Mumbai’s 241-run chase, after making 19 runs off just 13 balls. The injury then became the talking point after scans were reportedly carried out following the match.
Quick facts
- Rohit Sharma was not seen during MI’s lengthy net session on Tuesday.
- He is doubtful for MI’s IPL match versus Punjab Kings on Thursday.
- Rohit sustained the hamstring issue during MI’s clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday.
- He retired hurt in the sixth over of the 241-run chase, scoring 19 off 13 balls.
- Scans were reportedly done after the match; the medical report was inconclusive with no clear sign of a tear.
- Rohit is expected to take the final call, though MI’s management is cautious about risking him.
- On Sunday, Rohit completed 6,000 IPL runs for Mumbai Indians—the most by any player for the franchise.
- Overall IPL figures for MI: 6,013 runs in 231 innings at 29.76 average and 132.82 strike rate, with 40 fifties and two hundreds.
While Rohit’s presence is still not confirmed, the latest medical update suggests there is no definitive evidence of a serious tear. That has eased some fears that his injury could sideline him for a prolonged stretch, even though hamstring complaints are generally treated with caution in T20 cricket.
After the RCB encounter, reports indicated that his assessment did not point to anything severe enough to automatically rule him out for too many IPL matches. The same update also noted that he was forced to retire hurt in the sixth over of the Mumbai chase after his 13-ball cameo of 19.
Even with the uncertainty, it is understood that Rohit is likely to be involved in the final decision on whether he plays on Thursday. The team management, however, is keen to avoid any unnecessary risk, particularly with a player of Rohit’s impact in the MI setup.
The debate around selection remains open: MI could choose to give him a chance, or they may prefer to err on the side of caution to ensure the hamstring does not worsen. With experience at the top of the order for decisions like this, it is expected that Rohit himself may hold the key to the call.
There was also a career milestone during the same Sunday match. Rohit reached 6,000 runs for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, the highest tally for the franchise. He has since amassed 6,013 runs from 231 innings at an average of 29.76 and a strike rate of 132.82, including 40 half-centuries and two centuries for MI.
