NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma missed Mumbai Indians’ essential IPL 2026 conflict towards Punjab Kings on the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. The previous Mumbai Indians captain, who has led the franchise to 5 IPL titles, was rested after struggling a hamstring damage within the earlier match.There was appreciable hypothesis round Rohit’s availability, with Mumbai Indians assessing his health till the final second. Nonetheless, the crew determined to not take any dangers and opted to relaxation him.Quinton de Kock changed Rohit on the high of the order, opening alongside Ryan Rickelton.Mumbai Indians slumped to their fourth consecutive defeat, dropping the match by seven wickets to Punjab Kings.Offering an replace on Rohit, Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene addressed the state of affairs after the match.“He (Rohit) began working yesterday, [we’ll take] day after day to see how he feels. He is aware of his physique higher than anyone else so it is nothing critical however on the similar time we do not wish to push and it is early season nonetheless,” Jayawardene stated within the post-match press convention.Jayawardene additionally emphasised that the crew’s struggles can’t be blamed on one particular person and are a collective accountability.Mumbai Indians started their IPL 2026 marketing campaign with a six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders, however have since suffered defeats towards Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and now Punjab Kings.“I believe it is on each one among us when we’re not doing properly. It is not a person. It is just about on me, everybody who’s concerned within the administration and all that to see how can we be higher,” he stated.“I do know we’re enjoying good cricket. We aren’t taken out fully, however on the similar time the opposite groups are significantly better, scientific; clearly the boldness is excessive as properly after they have that sort of begin so we simply want to manage phases that we are able to management. So I believe it is not simply on one particular person. As a franchise, as a crew administration, we have to do issues higher to get into some rhythm after which get a number of wins beneath our belt that may give us that confidence,” the MI head coach added.With this consequence, Punjab Kings moved to the highest of the factors desk with 4 wins and one no-result, overtaking defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Mumbai Indians, in the meantime, slipped to ninth place with only one win from 5 matches.