Rohit Sharma to miss more IPL matches as Mumbai Indians face elimination

Key facts

• Rohit Sharma suffered a right hamstring injury while batting against RCB on April 12, 2026.
• He has missed four consecutive matches for Mumbai Indians as of April 29.
• MI captain Hardik Pandya confirmed Sharma will miss 'a couple more games'.
• Sharma scored 137 runs in four games this season, including an 83 against KKR.
• MI are ninth on the points table with two wins and five losses from seven matches.
• Mitchell Santner is ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury; replaced by Keshav Maharaj.
• MI lost three straight matches before a six-day break, including a 103-run defeat to CSK.

Injury sidelines captain as MI's season unravels

Mumbai Indians' veteran opener Rohit Sharma will miss at least two more IPL 2026 matches as he continues to recover from a hamstring strain, captain Hardik Pandya announced at the toss before the team's must-win game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 29. Sharma, who turned 39 on April 30, has not played since April 12, when he was forced to retire hurt on 19 off 13 balls during a home match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The injury, described as a right hamstring strain, has kept him out for 17 days and counting. Pandya told the broadcasters: "Rohit Sharma is going to take a couple of more games. He has been trying but it's not up to exactly where he would want. So, he is not available for this game."

A top-order void that MI cannot fill

Sharma's absence has exposed a fragile batting lineup. Before his injury, he was MI's leading run-scorer this season with 137 runs in four innings, including a fluent 83 against Kolkata Knight Riders. The team has tried multiple opening combinations in his place, but none have clicked. Danish Malewar, drafted in as a replacement, has struggled for runs, and the top order has lacked stability. MI have lost three of the four matches Sharma has missed, with the sole win coming against Gujarat Titans. The team's batting woes are compounded by poor form from key players Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, who have yet to find their rhythm with the bat.

Medical caution or lingering complications?

The prolonged absence has raised questions about the severity of Sharma's injury. Initially described as a minor hamstring strain, the opener returned to light training and net practice soon after the incident, leading fans to expect a quicker return. MI's medical team has been cautious, with a team spokesperson stating earlier that "the medical team is assessing him, and a decision will be taken before the match." The decision to hold him out against Punjab Kings was taken on the eve of that game to avoid further aggravation. It remains unclear whether there are complications or whether MI are prioritizing Sharma's long-term fitness, given his importance to the Indian ODI team in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup.

Injury crisis deepens with Santner's departure

MI's injury woes extend beyond Sharma. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has been ruled out for the remainder of the IPL season after jarring his left shoulder while fielding in a previous match. He has been replaced by South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj. Santner's absence leaves a hole in MI's spin department, forcing further changes to the playing XI. In the match against Punjab Kings, Quinton de Kock returned to open the batting, and young all-rounder Mayank Dagar made his debut in Sharma's place. The team has also shuffled its bowling attack, with Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar leading the pace unit alongside Jasprit Bumrah.

Playoff hopes hang by a thread

Mumbai Indians are languishing in ninth place on the 10-team points table with just two wins and five losses from seven matches, accumulating four points. Their net run rate of -0.736 is among the worst in the tournament. To qualify for the playoffs, MI would need a miraculous turnaround in the remaining matches. The team has already lost three consecutive games — against Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru — before a six-day break ahead of the SRH clash. A 103-run thrashing by Chennai Super Kings last week highlighted the depth of MI's struggles, with the batting order failing to chase a modest target and the bowlers unable to contain the opposition.

What comes next for Rohit and MI

With Sharma set to miss at least two more matches, MI must navigate a critical phase of the season without their most experienced batter. The team faces Lucknow Super Giants at Wankhede Stadium on May 5, followed by another home game against a yet-to-be-announced opponent. Pandya's leadership will be tested as he tries to rally a squad that has lost its way. The return of Quinton de Kock provides some stability at the top, but the middle order remains fragile. For Sharma, the focus will be on a full recovery before the Indian team's next international assignment. His absence from MI's lineup, while a blow to the franchise, may ultimately serve the longer-term interests of Indian cricket.

A season of what-ifs for five-time champions

Mumbai Indians, the most successful franchise in IPL history with five titles, find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Injuries to key players, poor form from established stars, and a lack of cohesion have derailed their campaign. Sharma's absence is the most visible symptom of a deeper malaise. The team that once prided itself on depth and resilience now looks vulnerable, with every match a must-win and little margin for error. Whether MI can summon a late surge reminiscent of their 2015 title run remains to be seen. But without their talismanic opener, the odds are stacked against them.

The bottom line

• Rohit Sharma will miss at least two more IPL matches due to a hamstring injury sustained on April 12.
• MI have lost four of five matches without Sharma and are ninth on the points table with two wins.
• Mitchell Santner is out for the season with a shoulder injury; replaced by Keshav Maharaj.
• Sharma was MI's leading run-scorer this season with 137 runs in four innings.
• MI's playoff chances are slim, needing a near-perfect run in remaining matches.
• The team's top-order instability and poor form from key batsmen have compounded their struggles.