MI coach says Rohit has 'progressed well' but remains uncertain on participation in crucial CSK clash at Chepauk

Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene refused to confirm if Rohit Sharma would be returning to action in the must-win clash against fellow five-time Indian Premier League champions Chennai Super Kings in Chennai on Saturday despite suggesting that the 'Hitman' has "progressed well".

Rohit had starred in MI's victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in their opening game of the season with a 38-ball 78, but has made only three more appearances since then, retiring hurt while batting on 19 in the home game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

It turned out to be case of a hamstring injury, one that has kept the former India and MI captain on the bench since the defeat against RCB nearly three weeks ago. Rohit, who had turned 39 on Thursday, was seen batting in the nets ahead of Saturday's showdown at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in a positive development for the franchise as well as its fans.

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Jayawardene, however, refused to confirm Rohit's return from injury in the second 'El Clasico' of the ongoing IPL season.

"It’s progressed well. He’s like working really hard to get back at it. So for us with the medical team, it’s on a daily basis. We see how he feels, how he pulls up the next day. So we’ll make a decision. We’ll see him practising today as well. So let’s see how he feels tomorrow and what the medical team will tell us," Jayawardene told reporters on the eve of the CSK vs MI clash at Chepauk.

How MI have fared in Rohit's absence

MI had tried various opening combinations in Rohit's absence, handing Vidarbha's Danish Malewar his debut. Malewar, however, failed to impress in the opportunities given to him, getting dismissed for 2 against Gujarat Titans followed by a golden duck in MI's previous face-off against CSK this season, at the Wankhede Stadium.

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And after three unsuccessful attempts, MI appeared to finally get their combination right after Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks stitched together a 93-run stand against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday, helping Mumbai post 243/5 that would later get eclipsed by Pat Cummins' men. Jacks, however, will have to move further down the order if Rohit is to return to the top of the lineup alongside Rickelton.

MI, who had won the last of their five titles back in 2020, currently are ninth out of 10 teams with just 4 points after eight games, having beaten just GT at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium after starting their season with a victory over the Knight Riders.

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And with the ongoing season more than halfway through, Mumbai will have to win each of their remaining six matches if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive, starting with Saturday's face-off against CSK.