Rohit Sharma working hard to be available for SRH game

Rohit Sharma could be available for the next Mumbai Indians game. It is understood that the former captain, currently recovering from a right hamstring injury, is in line to play the home fixture against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 29.

Rohit has been out since April 12, when he suffered the injury, during MI's home match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He has since sat out three games - against the Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans and the Chennai Super Kings - with Rohit and the MI management opting not to risk aggravating the injury.

However, it is now understood that Rohit is on the road to recovery and should be available for the April 29 match. Sources indicate that he has been working on his fitness with the MI trainers and coaches, and there is a growing sense of optimism within the team management. "Rohit is working hard in the middle to get back to full fitness," a source told Cricbuzz.

Rohit started the season well and, at one stage, even held the Orange Cap. In four games, he has scored 137 runs, including a half-century, at a strike rate of 165. MI will need his experience and expertise to revive their campaign, and all around him are confident he will return for the next game.

On Thursday, MI suffered a morale-busting 103-run defeat to the Chennai Super Kings. At the halfway stage of the season, they languish at the eighth position with just two wins from seven games, leaving them in a must-win situation in the second half to keep their playoff hopes alive.

"I feel that if we play our best cricket, we have a great chance, but the confidence, the focus, and the discipline have to be there for the next seven games. Well, I don't know yet whether we need to win all seven, but obviously, starting off, I would like to do that - but let's see how the tournament goes," coach Mahela Jayawardene said after the CSK game.

The MI players have a couple of days off. The squad has flown to Jamnagar for a bonding session and will return on Sunday before resuming practice ahead of next Wednesday's match.