Will Rohit Sharma play vs CSK? Mahela Jayawardene gives major fitness update

Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene has provided a cautiously optimistic update on Rohit Sharma’s fitness, stating that the opener is progressing well from his hamstring injury, with a final call on his availability to be taken on match day ahead of their clash against Chennai Super Kings.

Rohit, who has played just four matches this season, returned to the nets in Chennai on Friday after missing the last four games. However, Jayawardene made it clear that the decision will depend on daily medical assessments.

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“It’s progressed well. He’s working really hard to get back. For us, it’s a day-to-day process with the medical team. We’ll see how he feels after training and then decide,” Jayawardene said ahead of the game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

With just two wins from eight matches, Mumbai Indians find themselves in a must-win situation, currently languishing near the bottom of the points table. Injuries and frequent changes in the playing XI have only added to their struggles this season.

“It’s not the time to experiment. We’ve had challenges with injuries and availability, which meant we’ve already used around 20 players this season — something we don’t usually do,” Jayawardene admitted.

Despite boasting a strong squad on paper, MI have failed to deliver consistently, particularly with the ball. Jayawardene highlighted inconsistency across phases as a key concern.

“We haven’t been consistent in crucial phases. Every time we fix one area, something else slips. It’s about staying competitive throughout and trusting the process,” he explained.

The MI head coach also backed Suryakumar Yadav, who has endured a lean run with the bat, scoring 162 runs in eight matches so far.

“He’s batting well in practice and even in games, but sometimes things don’t go your way. As players, we’ve all been through that phase. It’s about trusting your ability and staying confident,” Jayawardene said.

“Surya has delivered for us consistently over the years. A lean patch can happen, but he has the mindset to bounce back,” he added.

With the season entering a decisive phase, Mumbai Indians will be hoping their senior players rediscover form quickly — starting with a crucial clash against Chennai Super Kings.