Will Rohit Sharma play tonight for MI vs PBKS in IPL 2026?

Rohit Sharma suffered a hamstring injury in the MI vs RCB game in IPL 2026.

Mumbai Indians (MI) started the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 with a rare burst of momentum. After beating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at home, their first opening-match win in 13 years, the five-time champions looked ready for a massive campaign.

But things went south quickly. Since that victory, MI has spiralled with three straight losses to Delhi Capitals (DC), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), leaving the team desperate for a turnaround tonight at the Wankhede, where they will face Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 16.

In their last game against RCB, Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton gave Mumbai a flying start, putting up 57 runs in just over five overs while chasing a huge 241. But the momentum shifted when Rohit was forced to retire hurt on 19 after tweaking his hamstring. MI eventually lost the game, and seeing Rohit limp off sparked immediate worry throughout the camp and the fan base, given how much the team rely on him to anchor the top order.

Will Rohit Sharma play MI vs PBKS clash of IPL 2026?

Rohit sat out Tuesday’s practice but was back on the field on Wednesday. He kept things relatively light, doing some jogging before spending about 20 minutes in the nets against throw downs and local bowlers.

While his presence in the nets is a good sign for the MI vs PBKS clash, the team are playing their cards close to their chest. A team official mentioned at the start of Wednesday’s session that the medical and coaching staff are still assessing him, a guarded stance that has only fuelled more rumours about his availability.

There is a strong possibility Rohit could feature as an Impact Player if cleared by the doctors. If he can’t play, Quinton de Kock is the likely replacement to partner Rickelton. However, that move would force MI to shuffle their overseas slots, potentially weakening the middle order or the bowling attack to stay within the four-foreigner limit.

Even with the injury concerns, Rohit has been MI’s most productive batter this year. He is currently their leading scorer in IPL 2026, with 137 runs in four games. His best knock came in the opener against KKR, where he smashed 78 off 38 balls. That night, he and Rickelton put on 148 runs, which is the highest stand for any wicket ever recorded at the Wankhede.

Rohit also became the first player to hit 6,000 runs for the Mumbai Indians. Overall, his IPL career now stands at 7,183 runs with a strike rate of 132.60. If fit, he will hold key for his team in MI vs PBKS clash tonight. However, looking at his age and long tournament ahead, there are chances that team management might not rush him.

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