New Delhi: Rohit Sharma missed mumbai indiansThe crucial match of IPL 2026 begins against Kings XI Punjab at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. The former Mumbai Indians skipper, who led the team to five IPL titles, was rested after sustaining a hamstring injury in the last game.There was considerable speculation about Rohit’s availability, with Mumbai Indians not assessing his fitness until the last minute. However, the team decided not to take any risks and chose to rest him.Quinton de Kock replaces Rohit at the top of the order, starting alongside Ryan Rickelton.Mumbai Indians suffered their fourth consecutive loss, losing to Kings XI Punjab by seven wickets.Provides latest update on Mumbai Indians head coach Rohit Mahela Jayewardene The relevant situation was explained after the game.“He (Rohit) started running yesterday, [we’ll take] Observe how he feels day after day. He knows his body better than others, so it’s nothing serious, but at the same time we don’t want to push, it’s still early in the season,” Jayawardene said at the post-match press conference.Jayawardene also stressed that the team’s struggles cannot be blamed on any one person but are a collective responsibility.Mumbai Indians started their IPL 2026 season with a six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders but have since lost to Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and now Kings XI Punjab.“I think every one of us has a responsibility when we underperform. It’s not one person’s responsibility. It’s very much up to me, everyone involved in management and everyone involved in management to see how we can do better,” he said.“I know we’re playing good cricket. We’re not completely out of the game but at the same time, other teams are much better and clinical; obviously when they have a start like that our confidence is high too so we just have to control the phases that we can control. So I think it’s not just one person’s problem. We need to do better as a team, as a team management, to get into a certain rhythm and then get some wins and that will give us confidence,” the MI head coach added.With this result, Kings XI Punjab leapfrogged defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore to the top of the table with four wins and one loss. Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, have slipped to ninth place with just one win in five games.
