Rohit Sharma is nearing a return and could be available for the next Mumbai Indians outing. The franchise is understood to be hopeful that the former captain, currently working through a right hamstring issue, will feature in the home match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 29.
Injury timeline and return expectations
Rohit has been sidelined since April 12, when he picked up the hamstring problem during Mumbai’s home contest against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Since then, he has missed three IPL games—against Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings—because both Rohit and the Mumbai Indians management preferred not to take any chances that could worsen the injury.
With his recovery progressing, expectations are now higher that he will be ready for the April 29 fixture. Team sources suggest he has been putting in specific work with the MI support staff, including fitness trainers and coaches, and that confidence inside the set-up has been steadily growing.
- Injury: right hamstring
- Last appearance: April 12 vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Games missed: vs Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings
- Target return: April 29 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (home match)
Form before the layoff
Before the injury interrupted his run, Rohit had started the season well and, at one point, even occupied the Orange Cap. In four matches, he has accumulated 137 runs, including a half-century, at a strike rate of 165—numbers that underline the impact he offers at the top of the order.
Mumbai will be looking to tap into that experience and skill immediately, particularly as the team tries to put its campaign back on track after a difficult spell.
After the CSK setback: MI’s playoff pressure
On Thursday, Mumbai Indians suffered a heavy, morale-busting 103-run loss to Chennai Super Kings. With the tournament reaching the halfway mark, they sit eighth in the standings, having won only two of their seven matches so far. That has put them in a must-win frame for the remainder of the league stage if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Head coach Mahela Jayawardene said that the team’s challenge going forward is to bring the right level of confidence, focus and discipline for each of the remaining games. He also suggested that while it may not require winning every match, starting strongly—beginning with the next one—would be important.
"I feel that if we play our best cricket, we have a great chance, but the confidence, the focus, and the discipline have to be there for the next seven games. Well, I don’t know yet whether we need to win all seven, but obviously, starting off, I would like to do that – but let’s see how the tournament goes," Jayawardene said after the CSK encounter.
Team schedule: break, bonding trip, and practice reset
Following the defeat, the MI squad has been given a couple of days off. The group has travelled to Jamnagar for a bonding session, and the team will return on Sunday. After that, they are expected to resume training ahead of next Wednesday’s match, with the upcoming fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 29 in clear focus.
"Rohit is working hard in the middle to get back to full fitness," a source said, reinforcing the belief that his recovery is on track and that he could play a key role as Mumbai push to regain momentum.
