Predicted Mumbai Indians Playing XI vs LSG: Bring Shardul Thakur back but what about Rohit Sharma?

Catch how the Mumbai Indians (MI) could line up against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 47 of IPL 2026.

The Mumbai Indians (MI) return at the Wankhede Stadium for the second-last time in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. This season has been horrific for the five-time champions, having lost seven games in nine attempts so far. They are virtually out of the playoff chances and only need to prevent further damage now. Fortunately for them, MI face a team that is even below them in the points table, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). However, LSG have a superb head-to-head record (2-6) over MI.

To improve Mumbai’s chance, they really need to shuffle the things in their team. Not that it has helped so far, but the current team lacks confidence and charisma. Mumbai have used the most number of players (23) so far. They should make at least one more change.

Is Rohit Sharma fit for MI vs LSG game?

Mumbai have dearly missed Rohit Sharma. The former MI captain had a good start to his campaign, scoring 137 runs at 45.66 and 165.06. However, an in-match hamstring struggle dented his year, with MI playing their next five matches without him. The batting core, without Rohit, has been non-existent. Both Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya have played five and four innings more than Rohit but have scored just 46 and 9 runs more than the Hitman.

Naman Dhir, who is playing up top, has been inconsistent as well. Although he was the shining light in MI’s previous loss to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He is of massive importance, now that Suryakumar has passed his prime. Meanwhile, Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks should continue to open in Rohit’s absence. Rohit is unlikely to play, since there has been no update from MI’s side. He has been seen practising from the last few matches but that’s it. It is the MS Dhoni situation. Both are seen batting in the nets but are absent from the team sheet.

Shardul Thakur in place of Bhagat?

The one change that Mumbai should definitely look to do is to bring back Shardul Thakur in place of Krish Bhagat. MI signed Bhagat as a replacement to Atharva Ankolekar. It came as a huge surprise that a player with not much success in domestic cricket has been suddenly roped in by the most successful T20 franchise. However, none questioned MI’s scouting until Bhagat actually played.

A gentle medium pacer, who has bogged down under pressure, Bhagat has shown no real signs of brilliance. He isn’t accurate enough. Doesn’t have pace nor has been able to transfer his raw skills. After getting three chances, Bhagat is still wicketless, going at 10.5 runs per over.

MI should look to slot in Shardul Thakur once again, who already has six wickets in five outings this season. Yes, he was expensive, quite expensive to be fair (13.57), but at least he has that wicket-taking ability. Trent Boult isn’t taking wickets in the powerplay; Hardik Pandya is himself averaging 61.5 with the ball, while Jasprit Bumrah is having a season to forget. MI need some wicket-takers and Thakur is known to create something out of nothing. By the looks of it, Pandya might not have enough confidence in Thakur (as he wasn’t used at all despite coming in as impact sub vs SRH), but the MI captain is in no condition to pick and choose players.

Predicted MI Playing XI vs LSG

What Mumbai can also do is to replace Robin Minz with Mayank Rawat. Both are finishers, but Minz has wasted a couple of chances already. Meanwhile, Rawat didn’t get to bat in the only match he was featured in. Rawat is a superb hitter of a cricket ball and can chip in a couple of overs of off-spin as well. He had a great success in the Delhi Premier League (DPL) last year, scoring 194 runs at a strike rate of 151.56. Prior to that, he played a massive role in East Delhi Riders’ tournament-winning run, scoring 289 runs at an outstanding average and SR of 72.25 and 190.13.

Mumbai Indians squad

Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton(w), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Robin Minz, Krish Bhagat, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar, Raghu Sharma, Raj Bawa, Mayank Rawat, Shardul Thakur, Ashwani Kumar, Rohit Sharma, Deepak Chahar, Quinton de Kock, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Sherfane Rutherford, Mayank Markande, Danish Malewar, Mohammed Salahuddin Izha