Mumbai Indians will take on Chennai Super Kings at Wankhede Stadium on April 23, 2026, but the biggest question in the MI camp is whether Rohit Sharma will be fit to play. The India batter is currently managing a hamstring problem, and the franchise’s medical and coaching staff are expected to make a final call only after assessing his condition right up to the toss.
Key takeaways
- Rohit Sharma’s hamstring recovery is the central fitness concern ahead of MI vs CSK at Wankhede on April 23, 2026.
- The team is set to decide on his participation just before the toss, based on a late fitness check.
- Rohit was seen batting in the nets on Wednesday during a controlled 25-minute session, with a cautious approach reportedly evident.
- His hamstring issue, picked up on April 12, has already kept him out of MI’s previous two games against Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans.
- If cleared to bat but limited in fielding, MI could consider using Rohit as an Impact Player to reduce workload.
- Danish Malewar is expected to open with Quinton de Kock if Rohit is not available.
Rohit’s fitness update and possible role
With the match approaching, MI’s decision-making revolves around whether Rohit can handle the physical demands of a full spell of match action. Reports from inside the camp indicate that Rohit looked to be progressing positively, as he took part in net batting on Wednesday and completed a controlled training period lasting around 25 minutes.
That session appeared to be deliberately managed, with Rohit mostly facing throwdown-style deliveries and keeping his shot selection restrained rather than going after bigger hits. The overall intent is understood to be a careful ramp-up to ensure the hamstring does not flare up again.
The injury itself was sustained earlier in the month on April 12, which means Rohit has missed MI’s last two fixtures—against Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans. If he passes the batting test but the management believes fielding could increase risk, MI could potentially deploy him as an Impact Player. That plan would let the side benefit from his batting while limiting unnecessary running and strain during the game.
If Rohit misses out: likely opening combination
Should Rohit be ruled out entirely, MI are expected to stick with a top-order setup featuring Danish Malewar continuing as an opener. He would likely partner Quinton de Kock, who has previously filled in during Rohit’s absence.
Why Rohit matters most in the MI–CSK rivalry
Rohit Sharma remains a key figure in the long-running MI vs CSK contest. He is the leading run-scorer in the head-to-head rivalry, accumulating 913 runs over 31 matches. His numbers at Wankhede Stadium are particularly notable as he has already surpassed 500 IPL runs against CSK at the venue.
Head-to-head record, finals history, and recent trend
In IPL history, MI currently hold the edge over CSK, leading 21–18 across 39 overall encounters up to April 2026. When Champions League Twenty20 matches are included as well, the record expands to 22–19 from 41 meetings.
These franchises have also produced a record four IPL finals against each other—2010, 2013, 2015, and 2019—with MI winning three of those four title clashes. MI’s triumphs came in 2013, 2015 and 2019.
While MI have been ahead historically, CSK have had the upper hand in recent years, winning five of their last six meetings between 2022 and the early part of 2025. The most recent meeting between the sides took place on April 20, 2025, when MI won by 9 wickets.
