IPL 2026: PBKS opt to field first against MI, Rohit Sharma misses out due to hamstring injury

MUMBAI: Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to field first against Mumbai Indians (MI) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

MI, down at the ninth spot in the points table, will be aiming to make it their second win of the season, having won just one out of their four games and losing their previous match to defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 18 runs. While PBKS, who have won three matches with one match ending in a no result, will be eyeing to keep their winning run going.

Speaking during the toss, PBKS skipper Iyer said, “We are looking to bowl first. Our combination has been splendid so far, so we want to continue. The team should stick to the present and not get complacent. Looks a bit dry. We are going with the same team.”

Toss update from Mumbai @PunjabKingsIPL won the toss and elected to bowl first against @mipaltan

Updates https://t.co/Fn2dxJ4zYR#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #MIvPBKS pic.twitter.com/8JUs4Tk9hj

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 16, 2026

On the other hand, MI skipper Hardik Pandya announced that Rohit Sharma, who faced a problem in his hamstring against RCB, misses out. Quinton de Kock will open the innings alongside his South African teammate Ryan Rickelton.

“We were looking to bowl first as well. Time to get W (win). I think last game we went for four 20-plus run overs and as a group we are aware of what not to be done. Ro misses out from last game, he will take a couple of games. (Mitchell) Santner also misses out,” he said.

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Sherfane Rutherford, Naman Dhir, Mayank Rawat, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah.

Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Prabhsimran Singh(w), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer(c), Cooper Connolly, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal. (ANI)