Fresh twist in Rohit Sharma injury saga, spotted batting in nets before MI vs PBKS clash to leave fans guessing

There were encouraging signs at the Wankhede Stadium as Mumbai Indians (MI) stalwart Rohit Sharma returned to the nets just 24 hours before Paltans' crucial IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS).

Rohit Sharma seen batting in nets amidst injury concerns

His participation in light fitness drills and jogging sessions suggests a potential recovery, as he later padded up for a 15–20 minute stint against throwdowns. These activities have raised hopes that he might be in contention for the key fixture on April 16, despite earlier reports of his absence.

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The veteran opener had sparked injury concerns during MI's match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). While chasing, Rohit suffered a right hamstring injury that forced him to retire hurt on 19 during the final over of the powerplay. Following the incident, the franchise issued a statement confirming that their medical team was closely monitoring his condition and that a formal update would be provided once a final assessment was complete.

“The medical staff is assessing him. An official update will be given when available,” MI said in a statement.

Rohit Sharma's exceptional show with the bat in IPL 2026

Talking about Rohit's performance in the ongoing season, his standout performance came during the opening match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He played an instrumental role in that fixture, scoring a crucial 78 that anchored the innings and provided the necessary momentum for the Mumbai Indians to successfully chase down a formidable target of 221.

However, since that opening victory, the five-time champions have struggled to maintain their form. They enter the upcoming battle against the Punjab Kings on a disappointing three-game losing streak, a slump that has seen them slide down to ninth place on the points table.

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Having managed just a single win in four outings, the Hardik Pandya-led side are under immense pressure to reverse their slump. A win in their upcoming fixture is now crucial as they look to restore confidence and deliver a much-needed performance for their home fans at the Wankhede Stadium. In contrast, Punjab Kings are in scorching form in the ongoing season. Boasting an impressive record of three wins from four matches, they currently occupy the second spot in the standings and are exerting their dominance across all departments of the game.