Rohit Sharma injures groundstaff, rushes with first-aid despite being told ‘keep batting’

Rohit Sharma's IPL 2026 future is uncertain, but his respect for peers remains evident, as he assisted injured groundstaff despite his own injury.

Updated on: May 4, 2026, 11:24:41 IST

Written by Aditya Bhattacharya

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Whether Rohit Sharma will take any further part in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) remains uncertain, but one thing is beyond doubt: the respect he has for his peers and everyone involved in the game. Be it players, coaches, former cricketers or support staff, Rohit is always willing to help, and that was evident when a groundsman was accidentally struck by one of his shots.

With Mumbai Indians all but out of the season, the team skipped Sunday’s optional training session. However, Rohit still turned up. The former MI captain, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury after playing four matches, is yet to fully recover but is working his way back to match fitness. He has come close to returning on more than one occasion, but uncertainty still surrounds his availability. Whether he features against Lucknow Super Giants remains to be seen, but regardless of that, Rohit’s class was evident when he rushed to provide first aid to the groundstaff member.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma turns 39; is this Hitman’s last birthday as an India cricketer?

“When Rohit Sharma sir told us to remove the off-side net, we did so and stood at the side. Just then, while I was wrapping the ripe and not paying attention to the players nearby, the ball hit me on my left knee. Rohit sir immediately came and inquired about the injury, but I told him to continue batting and not to bother. Yet, he returned with an ice pack and also sent someone to give me some medicine and a spray to put on my leg,” groundstaff Siban Biswas, 27, told mid-day.

Mixed feelings for Biswas

Such injuries are not uncommon. Just last month, an elderly fan named Krishan Chand was struck in the face by a six from Priyansh Arya and was left bloodied. Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta later got in touch with the spectator and invited the 62-year-old to attend a PBKS match in Dharamsala. However, Biswas was torn between pain and joy when he got the opportunity to shake hands with Rohit.

“It was mixed feelings... though my knee was in pain, but at the same time, it feels good because I got a handshake with Rohit sir,” added Biswas.

MI are currently placed ninth in the IPL 2026 points table, with just two wins from nine matches, followed by bottom-placed LSG. Irrespective of Monday’s result, one of the two teams is set to be knocked out of Playoff contention. Hardik Pandya has already conceded defeat, admitting that “this hasn’t been our season”, and there is little to separate MI’s position from that of LSG.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Bhattacharya
Aditya Bhattacharya is the Sports Editor at Hindustan Times Digital, with close to 15 years of experience in sports journalism. Over the course of his career, he has worked with leading media organisations including Cricbuzz, The Times of India, Network18 and Zee. Primarily a cricket writer, Aditya has covered several marquee events, including the 2016 ICC World T20, the 2019 ICC World Cup in England and the 2023 World Cup in India. His reporting portfolio also includes international cricket across England, South Africa and New Zealand, along with forays into tennis, including coverage of the Australian Open. He has interviewed several prominent athletes across sports. Aditya began his career with a brief stint at CricketNext before getting his first major break at Cricbuzz, where he was part of the Times Network’s startup venture GoCricket, which later merged with Cricbuzz. After nearly 18 months there, he moved to The Times of India, covering his first World Cup assignment and reporting first-hand on landmark moments such as Virat Kohli’s iconic innings against Australia in Mohali. During his three-year tenure, he played a key role in both reporting and desk operations and was recognised as TOI Employee of the Quarter in 2016. He later joined Zee, where he covered the 2019 World Cup across five venues in England—an assignment he considers a career highlight. At Hindustan Times, Aditya’s leadership came to the fore as he was promoted to lead the sports team within 18 months. Under his stewardship, the section has delivered extensive coverage of global sporting events, including the IPL, Olympics, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. In 2024, he was named HT DigiStar of the Year. Aditya continues to adapt to the evolving digital publishing landscape, with a sharp focus on search and audience engagement. Outside work, he occasionally plays the guitar and remains an avid gamer.Read More

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