NEW DELHI: The absence of Rohit Sharma once again took center stage as Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya provided a crucial update on the veteran batsman's return ahead of their Indian Premier League 2026 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.
Winning the toss, Hardik opted to bat first but confirmed that Rohit is still not match-ready. "Rohit is going to take a couple of more games. He has been trying, but it is not up to exactly where he would want, so he is not available for the team," Hardik said, effectively ruling him out in the immediate future while hinting at a gradual comeback route.
MI Hit by Multiple Setbacks
It was not just Rohit missing out. Opener Quinton de Kock was also ruled out after picking up a wrist issue. Hardik shed light on the changes: "Mitchell (Santner) was unfortunate, and so was Quinny today. He just did something to his wrist. Ryan (Rickelton) comes in place of Quinny. We have got Robin Minz."
Despite the disruptions, the MI captain remained upbeat about the team's preparation. "It was important for all of us to reset, not get too complicated. Just have a couple of good boys' evenings. We have had good sessions and ticked all the boxes. Now just excited for the game," he added.
Just Bat and See How Much We Can Score
Explaining his decision at the toss, Hardik said conditions looked ideal for batting. "Looks like a good, breezy day. I do not think dew will be a factor. We are just going to bat and see how much we can score," he noted, while also stressing the importance of leading from the front. "We just want to come out and play the best cricket. That will definitely help the group," he added.
Cummins Backs SRH Bowlers to Adapt
Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Pat Cummins, meanwhile, was prepared for a slightly tricky surface. "It looks like there might be a little bit of tackiness in the wicket, so happy to bowl first," he said. Cummins emphasized flexibility: "You have just got to reset your expectations every game. This pitch might ask something different, so go with a clear mind."
The Australian also highlighted his leadership approach: "I obviously pick up information when I am bowling. And if someone goes for big overs, I put my arm around them. They hopefully feel some sympathy."
MI vs SRH Playing XIs
Mumbai Indians XI: Ryan Rickelton (w), Will Jacks, Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Robin Minz, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar, Ashwani Kumar.
Sunrisers Hyderabad XI: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora (w), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins (c), Harsh Dubey, Sakib Hussain, Praful Hinge, Eshan Malinga.
