Rohit Sharma remains absent as Mumbai Indians field two uncapped players versus Gujarat Titans in 2026

Mumbai Indians named two debutants in their XI as Rohit Sharma continued to miss the game due to a hamstring injury against Gujarat Titans.

Toss decision shapes match Gujarat Titans won the toss and chose to bowl first against Mumbai Indians on a black-soil pitch in Ahmedabad. The decision was influenced by expected dew, which typically affects batting later in the evening. Mumbai Indians, sitting at the bottom of the table, aimed to strengthen their squad with fresh faces. The match marked the debut of two uncapped Twenty20 players for the franchise. ## Mumbai Indians playing XI revealed Mumbai Indians named their starting lineup with two debutants filling key spots. Danish Malewar, a 22-year-old batter from Vidarbha, was selected to open in place of Ryan Rickelton. Quinton de Kock retained his position as the top-order batter after scoring a century in his season debut. Rohit Sharma remained unavailable due to a hamstring issue, leaving a leadership void in the side. ## Changes in bowling and all-round roles Krish Bhagat, a 21-year-old pace bowler from Punjab, was included in the XI to replace Deepak Chahar, who had conceded 45 runs in 2.3 overs against Punjab Kings. Mitchell Santner returned to the squad, replacing Shardul Thakur, who had conceded 42 runs in three overs against Punjab Kings. Hardik Pandya led the side as captain, with Tilak Varma, Sherfane Rutherford, and others completing the lineup. ## Mumbai Indians bench details The team named their substitutes, including Raj Bawa, Ashwani Kumar, Corbin Bosch, Mayank Rawat, and Raghu Sharma. These players were on standby in case of injuries or tactical changes during the match. The bench strength reflected the franchise’s focus on nurturing young talent while addressing immediate gaps in the starting XI. ## Gujarat Titans retain winning combination Gujarat Titans chose to stick with their trio of recent victories, keeping the same XI for the third straight game. Shahrukh Khan was included in the starting eleven, while Rahul Tewatia remained on the bench as a potential Impact Player. Shubman Gill led the side as captain, with Jos Buttler and other key players forming the core of the team. ## Gujarat Titans bench lineup The bench for Gujarat Titans included Rahul Tewatia, Jason Holder, Anuj Rawat, Kulwant Khejroliya, and Manav Suthar. These players were available to step in if needed, either to boost batting depth or provide bowling variations. The squad reflected a blend of experience and emerging talent, aiming for consistency in the tournament. ## Strategic moves ahead of the contest Both teams made calculated changes to their playing elevens based on recent performances and pitch conditions. Mumbai Indians aimed to climb the standings with a win, while Gujarat Titans sought to extend their winning streak. The inclusion of uncapped players signaled a shift in strategy for the Mumbai-based franchise, testing new talent in high-pressure situations.