Rohit Sharma IPL 2026 CSK vs MI (Source: AFP)
Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will lock horns in the match number 44 in the ongoing IPL 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
It is worth noting that the high-voltage ‘El Clásico’ clash is extremely crucial for both CSK and MI’s playoff hopes, with the Kings looking to continue their dominance after defeating MI by 103 runs in their previous match this season.
Rohit Sharma’s Injury scare: One of the many troubles for MI
MI’s most experienced batter, Rohit Sharma, has been sidelined from Mumbai Indians’ playing 11 in IPL 2026 with a right hamstring injury sustained on April 12 against RCB.
He has missed four consecutive matches, with MI management taking a cautious approach despite his rehab, potentially utilizing him only as an Impact Player upon return.
Notably, just hours before the MI vs SRH game, Rohit had posted a picture of himself holding an orange slice on social media. Fans assumed that the reference to orange was linked to SRH, as they are called the ‘Orange Army.’ However, the tease turned out to be a false alarm, as he marked the fourth ouster of the season.
Will Rohit Sharma play against CSK today?
For the fans awaiting for Sharma’s return, there’s some bad news!
Speaking at the toss against Sunrisers Hyderabad, captain Hardik Pandya provided a candid update on Rohit's fitness that will alarm the Mumbai Indians faithful.
Also read: Mumbai Indians Star Ruled Out Of Cricket For 1 Month
"Rohit will need a couple more games, he's trying, but it's not up to the mark," Pandya stated plainly, confirming that despite the veteran opener's efforts in training, he remains short of full match fitness.
Thus, Rohit Sharma will not play against CSK in today’s IPL match.
MI IPL 2026 playoffs qualification: Troubles mount for Mumbai Indians
On a night when 243 should have been enough, Mumbai Indians saw their IPL 2026 playoff hopes slip further out of reach. Despite Ryan Rickelton’s blazing 123* powering MI to a massive total at Wankhede Stadium, they were blown away by a relentless Sunrisers Hyderabad chase.
The 6-wicket defeat, their sixth of the season, left MI languishing near the bottom, staring at a near must-win scenario in every remaining game.
With 2 wins in 8 games (4 points) and a NRR of -0.784, they are far from the pack, and with the business end of IPL 2026 fast approaching, the margin for error is virtually gone.
All possible conditions for MI playoff qualifications:
- 6 Wins Out of 6: Reaching 16 points gives them a very strong chance to finish in the top four.
- 5 Wins Out of 6: Reaching 14 points, which will require a significant improvement in Net Run Rate (NRR) and relying on other teams losing.
- < 5 Wins: A single further loss makes qualification extremely difficult and dependent on other results, while two or more losses will likely eliminate them, with their current negative NRR being a major disadvantage.
Mumbai Indians need a dramatic, 2015-style turnaround to break into the top four from their current position.
Also read: India Below 2 Teams; Pakistan's Position Rises As ICC Releases Updated Annual Rankings
