Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene has firmly stated that Rohit Sharma is 100 percent fit, dismissing concerns about the veteran batter's fitness. Rohit, 39, has been in the spotlight more for his recurring hamstring injury than his batting in IPL-2026. He has played eight matches for MI, scoring 283 runs at an average of 40.42 and a strike rate of 160.70. The injury caused him to miss a few games, and upon return, he has only featured as an Impact Player. Despite fitness doubts, Rohit was named in India's ODI squad for the three-match series in Afghanistan in June, subject to fitness clearance.
Jayawardene on Rohit's Role
Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of MI's final league match against Rajasthan Royals, Jayawardene clarified that Rohit's usage as an Impact Player is purely a team combination decision. "I think even before he got injured, we used him in a couple of games. We feel that in a few games he was impacted. It is purely on the team combination and the people we want on the field. To be honest, I don't think about the Indian team or their requirements when assembling a team for Mumbai Indians. Rohit understands that he is a team player," Jayawardene said.
He added that after the hamstring injury, MI gave Rohit adequate time to recover. "We were cautious even with his batting and running, allowing him to adapt gradually. The medical team confirms he is 100 percent fit. We are not putting him on the field without confidence," the former Sri Lankan captain explained. Jayawardene emphasized that the decision has nothing to do with external conversations or speculation.
Bumrah's Injury and Performance
Jayawardene also addressed Jasprit Bumrah's ordinary IPL-2026 campaign, where he took only four wickets at an average of 102.00 and an economy rate of 8.36 in 13 matches. He revealed that Bumrah played the 2026 T20 World Cup with a niggle, which required a gradual build-up. "His pace had dropped for the first four or five games due to the niggle. Despite that, he finished the World Cup with 14 wickets in eight matches at an average of 12.42 and an economy rate of 6.21, playing a stellar role in India's triumph," Jayawardene noted.
When asked if fatigue from the World Cup affected Bumrah's IPL performance, Jayawardene said, "It's a combination of factors. He had a slight niggle during the World Cup, so we gave him rest. The first few games were a gradual build-up. You could see his pace drop, but now he is back to his best. The last four or five games have been good. Unfortunately, the season is over for us." He also pointed out that teams played Bumrah cautiously, not taking risks against him, because MI's other bowlers failed to create pressure. "Tactically, teams played him differently. But I don't worry about Booms; he is in good spirits and will come back strong," Jayawardene asserted.
Hardik Pandya's Frustration
Jayawardene admitted that it was a tough season for MI skipper Hardik Pandya, who missed matches due to back spasms and led the team to consecutive defeats. Hardik's frustration boiled over when he broke the stumps after a potential catch was spilled in the last game. "In that situation, it's frustrating for any bowler. You can't read too much into it. That was a crucial chance as Rovman Powell was on 8 or 10 runs. It would have created pressure. But overall, it's hard for all of us to go through a season where we know we have talent but couldn't execute. It's a constant frustration across the squad and franchise," Jayawardene elaborated.
Conversations with Bumrah
Discussing his conversations with Bumrah during his poor form, Jayawardene said, "Boom is very experienced. We had collective conversations with the training staff about workload management and preparation. We used him in different ways to give him freedom. He understands and comes back with a smile. We all learn from such seasons. He put in tremendous effort to get back to his best. In the last few games, he was bowling 140-142 kmph and nailing yorkers. He had issues with his run-up due to the niggle, leading to no-balls, but he worked on that. I can't take anything away from his work ethic."
Jayawardene concluded, "We tried, it didn't work, but we just need to move on."
