MI vs PBKS IPL 2026: Rohit Sharma's hamstring scare casts a long shadow over MI's must-win clash against PBKS

MI vs PBKS IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians walked into this IPL 2026 season full of hope after a memorable opening win, but things fell apart pretty quickly. The five-time champions started their campaign on a high, finally breaking a long jinx, but they couldn't keep that momentum going and dropped three games in a row. Their clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 12 only made matters worse, as a key figure limped off the field before the chase even got moving. Now, heading into Thursday's home game at the Wankhede against Punjab Kings, the only unbeaten side in the tournament so far, Mumbai are facing questions they’d really rather not be dealing with right now.

Rohit Sharma injury update: What happened to Rohit Sharma against RCB?

Rohit Sharma walked off in the sixth over of MI’s innings after feeling some discomfort in his hamstring during that high-scoring game against RCB on April 12. He was on 19 off 13 balls when he retired hurt, and Mumbai Indians went on to lose by 18 runs, which was their third straight defeat. The sight of the Hitman clutching his leg and heading back to the dugout was a massive worry for every MI fan in the stadium. His exit was a huge setback for the batting order, and without their leader at the top, the chase just completely lost its way.

MI vs PBKS IPL 2026: The latest injury update and the impact on the player question

Whether Rohit Sharma plays in Match 24 against Punjab Kings is still up in the air, even though he joined a light training session at the Wankhede on Wednesday, April 15. The MI camp has been very quiet about the whole thing. A team official mentioned during Wednesday's practice that the medical team and coaches are still checking on him and should have an answer soon. This lack of an official update from management has only fueled the speculation. One way he might get back on the field, though, is through the Impact Player rule. While he’s definitely a doubt for the PBKS game because of that hamstring, he could still feature in a limited role. It’s an option, but it’s still a gamble considering how physically demanding even a short, intense knock can be.

Rohit's IPL 2026 form and the void his absence creates

Before the injury, Rohit Sharma actually looked like he was in great touch. In four matches this season, he’s put up 137 runs at a strike rate of 165.06, including a half-century. That strike rate really shows how aggressive he’s been playing this year. Take the game against KKR, for example, he smashed 78 off 38 balls, hitting sixes all over the park at the Wankhede, a ground where he’s now scored over 2,500 IPL runs. Revealed: Will Will Jacks Play In The MI vs PBKS IPL 2026 Game Today? Plus, during that RCB game on April 12, he made history by becoming the first player to hit 6,000 IPL runs for Mumbai Indians. Rohit Sharma is currently the second-highest run-scorer in the league’s history, with 7,183 runs across 276 matches. Losing a player of that level, even for a game or two, leaves a massive hole in the lineup, and with PBKS coming to town on a perfect winning streak, Mumbai desperately need their best players fit and ready.