![\"IPL](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130309208,imgsize-46568,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/rohit-sharma-pti-photo.jpg\" "\\"Rohit")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: The build-up to Mumbai Indians\u2019 clash against Punjab Kings was dominated by one question: would Rohit Sharma play?A day before the match, uncertainty hung thick. MI\u2019s team management stayed tight-lipped, with their media manager confirming that the decision rested with the medical staff. Rohit, who had suffered a hamstring injury against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, had skipped training and only made a brief appearance later with his leg strapped, not picking up the bat. <\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n Jitesh Sharma reveals RCB\u2019s batting mindset<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Scans reportedly followed, fuelling concern that the injury might sideline him for more than just one game.The timing couldn\u2019t have been worse. Rohit had looked in fine touch in IPL<\/a> 2026, anchoring MI\u2019s campaign with a fluent 78 against Kolkata Knight Riders and a steady 35 versus Delhi Capitals. His absence threatened to disrupt combinations, forcing a rethink that could bring Quinton de Kock<\/a> back at the top while reshuffling the middle order.By toss time, the speculation ended. Captain Hardik Pandya<\/a>, after Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer asked MI to bat first, confirmed Rohit would miss the game, and possibly more. \u201cHe\u2019s gonna take a couple of games,\u201d Pandya said, making it clear MI were unwilling to rush their veteran opener back.There was more disruption too. Mitchell Santner was ruled out due to illness, prompting further changes. De Kock returned, while a debut cap went to Mayank Rawat.For MI, this wasn\u2019t just about one player missing. Rohit\u2019s absence strips the side of experience and stability at the top. With the tournament heating up, how quickly he recovers could shape not just this match, but Mumbai Indians\u2019 entire IPL 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n Poll<\/p>\n What is your opinion on Mitchell Santner being ruled out due to illness?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Punjab Kings (Playing XI): <\/span>Prabhsimran Singh(w), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer(c), Cooper Connolly, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra ChahalPunjab Kings Impact Subs: <\/span>Nehal Wadhera, Vishnu Vinod, Harpreet Brar, Suryansh Shedge, Yash ThakurMumbai Indians (Playing XI): <\/span>Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Sherfane Rutherford, Naman Dhir, Mayank Rawat, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit BumrahMumbai Indians Impact Subs: <\/span>AM Ghazanfar, Corbin Bosch, Raj Bawa, Robin Minz, Ashwani Kumar<\/div>\nMI vs PBKS Playing XIs<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n