Reports from May 4, 2026, indicate that Rohit Sharma will personally make the final decision regarding his availability for Mumbai Indians' (MI) critical clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium. The franchise has reportedly left the call entirely to him as he continues to recover from a persistent hamstring injury. Rohit remains a major doubt for today's match. While he participated in light training and batting sessions at the Wankhede, he has not yet been declared 100% match-fit. He has missed five consecutive matches since retiring hurt with a hamstring strain during a game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 12.

He has recently increased his training intensity, including net sessions where he appeared to bat without visible discomfort. Coach Mahela Jayawardene and captain Hardik Pandya have emphasized a cautious approach to avoid long-term setbacks. Mumbai Indians has struggled to find a stable opening pair in Rohit's absence, rotating through options like Ryan Rickelton and Danish Malware. If Rohit is cleared to play today, he is expected to return to the top of the order, potentially moving Will Jacks to the number three position.

Rohit Sharma's impact to MI’s position in Points table

Mumbai Indians are currently languishing in 9th place, primarily due to a lack of consistent starts and a leadership void during high-pressure moments. In his absence, MI has failed to establish a reliable opening pair. Combinations like Ryan Rickelton & Quinton de Kock and Danish Malewar & Quinton de Kock have struggled, often losing early wickets (e.g., 7-run and 10-run opening stands). The only success MI has received was when they opened with Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton against SRH but even that match ended in a loss for the Indians. When Sharma played earlier this season, he provided explosive starts, such as his 78 (38) against KKR, which directly led to one of MI’s only two wins.

Reports indicate that Rohit’s tactical inputs, from field placements to guiding younger bowlers , are severely missed when he is not on the field. Across his long career with MI, the team boasts a 56.7% win rate in matches where he plays. Without him, the win rate has dropped significantly this season, with some estimates placing it as low as 26% since the recent change in leadership and his injury spells.