Sunday evening at the Wankhede Stadium was a massive batting clinic, though mostly for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans. Phil Salt went berserk with 78 off 36 balls, Virat Kohli chipped in with a steady 50 off 38, and Rajat Patidar kept his incredible IPL 2026 form going with a 20-ball 53.
Tim David added a quick 34 not out at the end to help RCB post a huge 240/4. Mumbai Indians walked out to chase a massive 241 with their season already on thin ice. They kept losing wickets just as they gained momentum and couldn’t keep up the pace, eventually losing by 18 runs in a high-scoring thriller at home.
Rohit Sharma's strong start ends in a major scare
Opening with Ryan Rickelton, Rohit gave Mumbai the exact start they needed to make the most of the Powerplay. MI were cruising at 57/0 in 5.2 overs when everything went south. After the second ball of the sixth over, Rohit pulled up with a hamstring problem and called for the physio. His right hamstring was heavily strapped to try to get him through, and he tried to push through the pain, showing that grit he’s known for, but his body just wouldn't cooperate. Rohit Sharma was on 19 off 13, with two fours and a six, when he finally walked off, leaving the Wankhede crowd in a worried silence. Suryakumar Yadav came out to replace him, but the momentum MI had worked so hard for seemed to vanish right then and there.
Scans tomorrow, and the PBKS game is a huge question mark
Sherfane Rutherford spoke about Rohit's fitness at the post-match press conference, confirming it looked like a hamstring issue but noting that nothing is official yet. The MI camp is waiting on scan results to see how bad the damage really is. According to Cricbuzz, early signs suggest it might just be a minor strain rather than a full tear, but the Mumbai Indians medical team hasn't released a statement yet. That uncertainty is enough to keep MI fans on edge, as hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky. They can clear up in a day or sideline a player for weeks.
At 38, Rohit’s recovery usually takes a bit longer than it used to. This latest setback brings back those nagging questions about his fitness, especially after a knee injury in 2025 forced him to sit out a match. Mumbai Indians play Punjab Kings at home on April 16, and whether Rohit plays depends entirely on those scans.
MI were already stuck in eighth place on the table before this loss, with only one win from four games. Losing Rohit now would be a massive hit for a team that leans so heavily on his presence at the top. Until the results come in, Mumbai can only wait and hope for the best.
