IPL 2026: Under-fire Mumbai Indians to be tested by high-flying Punjab Kings
It has been a forgettable outing for the Mumbai Indians so far, with just two points from four games. Adding to its woes, Rohit Sharma remains a doubtful starter for the must-win Indian Premier League clash against Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
Rohit had hobbled off after injuring his hamstring during the previous game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and has since skipped practice, with the franchise maintaining that the “medical team is assessing” him.
A late call is expected, but if he eventually misses out, it will further dent a top order that has lacked consistency. Rohit’s ability to anchor and accelerate has often set the tone, and his absence would only deepen Mumbai’s early-season struggles.
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MI has struggled for consistency, with its star-studded batting line-up failing to click collectively – starts have not been converted, and partnerships have been hard to build.
On the eve of the game, Naman Dhir downplayed concerns over the form of Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma. While Suryakumar has scored 106 runs, Tilak has managed just 35 so far, though the team remains confident of a turnaround in fortunes.
The bowling unit, too, has been far from impressive. Jasprit Bumrah is yet to pick up a wicket despite being economical, while Trent Boult and Hardik Pandya have lacked consistency, especially in the death overs.
Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer, appear more settled. Strong PowerPlay returns from Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, along with middle-order stability, give them the edge heading into the contest.
For Mumbai Indians, another defeat could deepen a crisis in a season already threatening to drift away early, leaving little margin for recovery in a tightly contested league.
Published on Apr 15, 2026
