Rohit Sharma is expected to miss Thursday’s IPL match against Punjab Kings after reporting hamstring trouble. The precise nature of the injury, picked up during Mumbai Indians’ previous fixture versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru, remains unclear at this stage, and the franchise is treating his fitness as a day-to-day matter. The current call is that he is under medical review, with a final verdict to be reached before the start of the game.
A team spokesperson said ahead of the match, “The medical staff is assessing him, and we’ll make a decision before the match.” Rohit suffered the hamstring issue during the second innings against RCB and had to retire hurt during the sixth over of Mumbai’s chase. He was subsequently taken for scans, and there are varying reports on whether the injury involves a tear.
With the situation still evolving, the working assumption within the set-up is that Mumbai may choose caution, especially with a long season ahead. Earlier on Wednesday, it was reported that the MI management could decide to rest him as a precaution. On the eve of the Punjab Kings clash, Rohit did not take part in the nets session.
While the session itself was optional and a number of other players also skipped it—including Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult—Rohit’s absence appears to be more than routine. He had also missed Wednesday’s practice, when most, if not all, members of the squad were present.
Rohit has been among the more consistent performers for Mumbai in recent matches, and losing him—if he is ruled out—would be an unwanted blow for a side that is currently struggling to stay within the top-four contention in the points race. He has amassed 137 runs across four games and looked particularly sharp in the contest against RCB, before retiring hurt.
Should Rohit’s participation be ruled out, Naman Dhir may be moved up the batting order, as he has done before. However, Dhir indicated that he has not yet been told of any specific plan. “Nothing like that has happened so far. The management is aware of everything, so we’ll know tomorrow what the batting order looks like. I’m ready to bat anywhere—higher up or lower down. I’ve done it before at No. 5 or No. 7, so I’m prepared for any role,” Dhir said.
Last season against Lucknow Super Giants, Dhir batted at number three and made an immediate impact with a quick 46. Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton were the opening pair in that match.
Separately, an MI spokesperson confirmed, in line with an earlier report, that Will Jacks will be arriving in Mumbai on Wednesday.
