Rohit's hamstring progressing well, MI to decide on CSK clash: Jayawardene
Synopsis
Rohit Sharma's hamstring is healing, but Mumbai Indians won't rush him back. With the five-time champions ninth on the table and every game now a must-win, Jayawardene's caution reflects a season spiralling. Suryakumar's form dip and an injury-ravaged squad have forced MI to field 20 players already — a franchise record — and the CSK clash may define whether they can still salvage a playoff spot.
Key Takeaways
Rohit Sharma batted at the nets in Chennai on Friday after missing four consecutive games with a hamstring injury.
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene said the medical team will make a final call on Rohit's availability for Saturday's CSK clash on match day.
MI have won just two matches from eight games , sitting ninth on the points table with every remaining game now a must-win.
The franchise has deployed 20 players this season due to injuries — a record for MI in recent years.
Suryakumar Yadav has scored just 162 runs in eight matches , though Jayawardene backed him to rediscover form.
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene on Friday confirmed that captain Rohit Sharma is recovering steadily from a hamstring injury sustained earlier this season, with a final call on his availability for Saturday's clash against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium to be made on match day. The franchise's medical team will conduct daily assessments before deciding whether to risk the opening batsman.
Rohit, who has featured in only four matches this season, batted at the nets in Chennai on Friday after missing the last four games. "It's progressed well. He's working really hard to get back at it," Jayawardene said in the pre-match press conference. "For us, with the medical team, it's on a daily basis. We see how he feels, how he pulls up the next day. So we'll make a decision."
MI's troubled campaign and injury toll
Mumbai Indians have won just two matches from eight games, leaving the five-time champions ninth on the points table. The injury crisis has forced the franchise to deploy 20 players already this season — a record for the franchise in recent years. "Our maximum has been 16, even with the impact, where we've had 16 or 17 was our maximum," Jayawardene explained. "So due to those circumstances, we've gone deeper into the bench."
Inconsistency with the ball remains the worry
Despite posting competitive totals, MI have struggled to defend scores, with bowling inconsistency identified as the primary culprit. Jayawardene acknowledged the pattern: "We haven't been consistent enough in phases where we must be competitive in those phases, and we've lost our way." The coach emphasised that every remaining game is now effectively a must-win for the franchise to stay in playoff contention.
Suryakumar's form dip — a temporary blip?
Addressing Suryakumar Yadav's poor run — the right-hander has managed just 162 runs in eight matches — Jayawardene defended his player's technique and temperament. "Practice, he's batting as well as anybody. Even when you go into the matches, he's hitting the ball well," the coach said. "But the way he's gotten off a few times, it's unfortunate. He hits a shot, gets caught on the boundary line." Jayawardene drew on his own experience as a batsman, noting that such slumps are temporary. "He knows that, and he'll come up with a smile and play the same way he knows how to play."
The road ahead
With Rohit's status uncertain and Suryakumar struggling for rhythm, MI face the CSK clash as a pivotal moment in their season. The franchise's reliance on fringe players and the medical team's cautious approach to Rohit's recovery underscore the precarious position of the defending champions in this year's tournament.
Point of View
But because the franchise's depth has been exposed. Deploying 20 players — a franchise record — is not a badge of flexibility; it's a sign that the injury management and squad building have both failed. Rohit's cautious return and Suryakumar's form dip are symptoms, not the disease. The real problem is that MI's bowling — historically their strength — has become a liability, and no amount of squad rotation will fix that until the core fast bowlers rediscover consistency.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rohit Sharma playing against Chennai Super Kings on Saturday?
No final decision has been made yet. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene said the medical team will assess Rohit on a daily basis and decide on match day whether he is fit to play. Rohit batted at the nets on Friday after missing four games with a hamstring injury.
How many matches has Rohit Sharma played in IPL 2026 so far?
Rohit Sharma has featured in only four matches this season before his hamstring injury sidelined him for the last four games.
Why are Mumbai Indians struggling this season?
MI have won just two matches from eight games due to a combination of injuries, inconsistent bowling despite posting competitive totals, and the forced deployment of 20 players — a franchise record. The five-time champions are ninth on the points table.
What has Jayawardene said about Suryakumar Yadav's poor form?
Jayawardene defended Suryakumar, noting that the right-hander is batting well in practice and hitting the ball well in matches, but has been unlucky with dismissals — caught on the boundary line and getting good balls. He backed Suryakumar to rediscover form, citing his three to four brilliant years with the franchise.
