Rohit's early return could've saved MI's IPL 2026 season, says Harbhajan
Synopsis
Harbhajan Singh's candid assessment cuts to the heart of Mumbai Indians' IPL 2026 struggles: Rohit Sharma's injury-enforced absence during a critical mid-season phase may have cost them playoff qualification. His match-winning return against Lucknow underscores what MI lacked in his dugout tenure — but with only mathematical survival odds remaining, even his brilliance may come too late.
Key Takeaways
Harbhajan Singh believes Rohit Sharma's earlier return could have changed MI's IPL 2026 campaign trajectory.
Rohit scored a commanding knock against Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium , anchoring a successful chase.
Harbhajan suggested MI may have won 1-2 games during their losing streak had Rohit recovered sooner.
Mumbai Indians remain mathematically alive if they reach 14 points and other results favour them.
Rohit's presence in the middle order demonstrated his irreplaceable value to the struggling franchise.
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed regret that Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma did not recover from injury sooner during IPL 2026, suggesting the veteran batter's delayed comeback may have cost the five-time champions crucial wins during their mid-season slump. Rohit marked his return in style at the Wankhede Stadium with a dominant knock against Lucknow Super Giants, anchoring a successful chase and demonstrating his irreplaceable value to a struggling side.
The Impact of Rohit's Presence
Harbhajan emphasized that Rohit's presence in the middle order makes a tangible difference that cannot be replicated from the sidelines. "It's important to be in the middle. You can do only so much sitting in the dugout. But you can make a difference by being in the middle, and Rohit Sharma did exactly that," the former spinner told JioStar. He noted that Rohit's innings not only provided a solid foundation for the chase but also minimized pressure on the rest of the batting unit, allowing them to finish the game with relative ease.
A Near-Miss Century
Harbhajan acknowledged that Rohit fell short of a century but praised the quality of his batting during his time at the crease. "It would have been even better if he had got his hundred, but for the time he was there, he played exceptionally well," he remarked, underscoring the captain's match-winning contribution despite not reaching three figures.
The Cost of His Absence
Mumbai Indians endured an injury-plagued and inconsistent season, with key players misfiring at crucial junctures. Harbhajan reflected on how Rohit's prolonged absence during a critical phase may have derailed the team's momentum. "I wish his injury had healed a little earlier; who knows, they might have won a game or two during that losing streak and would have still been alive in the competition," he said, hinting that even one or two additional victories during the slump could have kept MI mathematically in contention.
Playoff Hopes Still Alive
Despite occupying a precarious position on the points table, Harbhajan believes Mumbai Indians retain a mathematical outside chance if results align favourably. "They will give themselves a chance if they win every game from here and get to 14 points. Who knows, if other teams start losing, there could be a net run-rate situation at 14 points, anything can happen," he explained, suggesting that a perfect run combined with slip-ups elsewhere could yet engineer a playoff qualification.
Building Momentum Forward
With Rohit's return now providing a psychological and tactical lift, MI will attempt to string together consecutive victories to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. The coming matches will be critical in determining whether the captain's comeback can spark a late-season resurgence.
Point of View
But through the stabilising effect his presence exerts on team morale and batting structure. That MI's revival began the moment their captain returned suggests the real damage was organisational, not just tactical. The question now is whether a late-season surge, however impressive, can undo the mathematical damage of weeks without their leader.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Harbhajan Singh believe Rohit Sharma's early return was critical for MI?
Harbhajan argues that Rohit's presence in the middle order makes a decisive difference that cannot be replicated from the sidelines. He suggested that even one or two additional wins during MI's losing streak — had Rohit been fit earlier — could have kept the team alive in the playoff race. Rohit's dominant knock against Lucknow demonstrated the stabilising and match-winning impact he brings.
What was Rohit Sharma's performance against Lucknow Super Giants?
Rohit Sharma produced a commanding knock at the Wankhede Stadium that laid the foundation for MI's successful chase. While he fell short of a century, Harbhajan praised the quality of his batting, noting that his innings minimised pressure on the rest of the batting unit.
Are Mumbai Indians still in contention for the IPL 2026 playoffs?
Yes, MI retain a mathematical outside chance if they win every remaining game to reach 14 points and other results go their way. Harbhajan noted that if other teams start losing, a net run-rate situation at 14 points could still see them qualify, though their position remains precarious.
How much of MI's poor form was due to Rohit Sharma's injury?
Harbhajan did not attribute the entire slump to Rohit's absence but suggested it was a significant factor. He implied that a fit Rohit during the crucial mid-season phase could have prevented the losing streak that derailed MI's campaign, though other factors including misfiring key players also contributed.
