Why is Rohit Sharma Not Playing in MI vs CSK IPL 2026 Match?
There were encouraging signs during a net session on Wednesday, where Rohit faced throwdowns for approximately 25 minutes, team management has opted for a 'safety-first' approach.
The Wankhede Stadium was filled with a mix of anticipation and disappointment on Thursday evening as the Mumbai Indians (MI) took the field against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) without their veteran opener, Rohit Sharma. The former captain has been omitted from the starting XI for the MI vs CSK IPL 2026 match, as confirmed by skipper Hardik Pandya during the toss. You can follow Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings match scorecard here.
Why is Rohit Sharma Not Playing in MI vs CSK IPL 2026 Match?
Despite being present on the ground, Sharma continues to struggle with a hamstring injury sustained earlier this month, which marks his third successive absence for MI this season.
The injury was sustained on 12 April during a high-octane clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where he was seen limping before eventually being substituted. Impact Subs in Today's IPL Match for Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings.
A Massive Void in the Rivalry
Rohit Sharma’s absence is particularly notable given his storied history in this fixture. He remains the all-time leading run-scorer in MI vs CSK encounters, with over 900 runs to his name. Why is MS Dhoni Not Playing in MI vs CSK IPL 2026 Match?.
His lack of participation, coupled with the likely absence of MS Dhoni for the visitors due to a calf strain, means this edition of the 'El Clasico' is the first in nearly two decades to feature neither of the two iconic stalwarts on the field simultaneously.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 23, 2026 07:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).