Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra pointed out that the absence of veteran opener Rohit Sharma has been a significant factor in the Mumbai Indians’ challenges in the current Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Rohit Sharma, the most successful captain of the Mumbai Indians, sustained a hamstring injury during a match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which led to him missing subsequent games against the Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings. Chopra emphasized that the team has felt the impact of Rohit Sharma’s absence, especially in the context of struggling to chase high totals in the range of 210–220 runs.
Key senior batters like Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, who were part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad, have not been consistent in their performances, according to Chopra. While acknowledging positive contributions like Tilak Varma’s hundred, Chopra highlighted the need for the rest of the batting unit to step up their game. Suryakumar Yadav, in particular, has scored 157 runs in seven matches at an average of 22.43 and a strike rate of 142.72 in the ongoing IPL season. Despite hitting only one half-century against the Delhi Capitals, he has struggled to make a significant impact with just four sixes and 17 boundaries so far.
In the case of Hardik Pandya, the all-rounder has faced challenges in the IPL 2026 season, managing only 97 runs in six matches at an average of 19.00. His scores have ranged from 1 to 40, with a total strike rate of 140.58. The Mumbai Indians, while chasing a formidable target of 208 runs against the Chennai Super Kings, collapsed to a mere 104 runs as CSK’s bowling attack dominated the game. Akeal Hosein’s four-wicket haul, supported by Noor Ahmad and others, ensured regular breakthroughs, sealing the victory for CSK.
Chopra also expressed concerns about Mumbai Indians’ bowling performance, emphasizing the need for bowlers other than Jasprit Bumrah to step up and support in containing runs and taking wickets. While acknowledging the consistency of Allah Ghazanfar, Chopra highlighted the necessity for better support from the rest of the bowling unit. Following this defeat, the Mumbai Indians have slipped to the eighth position in the IPL points table, with just four points from seven matches. Their upcoming match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 29 at the Wankhede Stadium is crucial for them to bounce back in the tournament.
