"Had a few minor fitness concerns": MI head coach drops major update on Rohit Sharma's participation in IPL 2026

Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach Mahela Jayawardene, in his recent speech, declared that Rohit Sharma, who was used mostly as an impact player last season, might be seen a bit more on the field this time around.

India's most veteran T20I batter, Rohit Sharma, no longer plays in that blue jersey with the tricolor on it; however, he still represents his IPL franchise, the Mumbai Indians. Rohit was one of MI's highest run-getters last season and helped them advance to the second Qualifier.

However, Rohit was mainly seen as an Impact player in the last season. The Mumbai Indians bought Rohit in the batting innings to open alongside Ryan Rickelton. The Indian veteran was seen mainly off the ground, as Hardik Pandya has been captaining the side for the last two seasons.

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I want to keep him on the field as much as I can- Mahela Jayawardene said of Rohit Sharma's role in 2026

MI fans did not take Hardik Pandya's appointment as the captain of the side, replacing Rohit Sharma, in a very good manner. The Wankhede crowd booed their own team's skipper on several occasions after Hardik moved back to MI in 2024.

However, Pandya kept his cool and showed some stunning resilience as a cricketer and led MI to the Qualifiers in his second season as captain. This marked the Mumbai Indians' first-ever playoff qualification after 2020.

Rohit Sharma Will be seen on the field and not as an impact player. pic.twitter.com/LLAFD9SMyQ

— MI Fans Army™ (@MIFansArmy) March 17, 2026

In a chat show with MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene, he was asked if Rohit Sharma, the former MI skipper, would be seen in the playing XI this time around rather than being brought in only as an Impact player.

The head coach jokingly remarked, "But he is still playing."

He then continued, "I think definitely, the way we managed him last season, he had a few fitness concerns as well, and we needed to manage that. The thing is, he is still making a huge impact on the team, whether he is on the field or not. But this year, definitely, I want to keep him on the field as much as I can."

Most of our guys are all-rounders, and the captains need that option - Mahela Jayawardene

The MI head coach also pointed out that most of their players are cricketers who play as all-rounders and have a role to play with the ball as well. The captain needed his options during that innings, and it was Rohit Sharma who volunteered to be used as an Impact player under such circumstances.

"But we are rotating that impact player based on the fact that the other players need to be on the field all the time. Because if you look at that, most of our players are all-rounders who do bowl, and the captain needs those options on the field, something that I have to look at and discuss.

"Now Tilak is bowling as well, so he put his hand up, and I cannot take him out. Now, the two guys who are not bowling are Rohit and Surya. Are you okay with Surya missing out on the XI and coming in as an Impact player?" The coach turned the tide towards the fans.

However, he assured that he would look to do the best, and the rest is to see what actually happens in the season.

MI's possible Playing 12 for IPL 2026

The Mumbai Indians probably have the finest pack of Indian superstars of any other team in the IPL. They have Rohit Sharma leading the pack, alongside skipper Hardik Pandya. The Indian T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav, the ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, and the youngster Tilak Varma are all in the same squad.

However, now they have too many overseas stars who clash in their roles. They have two of South Africa's in-form wicket-keeper batters in Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton. They also picked Sherfane Rutherford, another in-form batter from the West Indies to strengthen their lower-order batting.

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