Hardik Pandya was absent as Mumbai Indians departed for their next Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 fixture, fuelling speculation about his availability after he missed the previous match due to back spasms. The all-rounder, who captains the side, was not seen with the squad at Mumbai airport, according to reports, raising uncertainty over whether he will join the team later.
Pandya had sat out Mumbai Indians’ recent clash against Lucknow Super Giants on May 4, with the franchise stating he was unwell due to back spasms. At the time, the issue was not expected to rule him out of the upcoming match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur, but his absence during the team’s departure has cast doubt over his immediate return.
In Pandya’s absence, Suryakumar Yadav stepped in to lead the side, as confirmed in an official team statement. However, there has been no fresh update from the franchise regarding the extent of Pandya’s condition or a timeline for his comeback, leaving both fans and analysts speculating about the situation.
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Teammate Ryan Rickelton said he had limited information on the injury, noting that he only learned about the back spasms shortly before the last match. He indicated uncertainty over whether the issue should be classified as a serious injury, while expressing hope that Pandya would rejoin the squad soon.
The development comes amid a challenging season for Mumbai Indians, who are currently placed near the bottom of the points table with just three wins in ten matches. Pandya himself has struggled to make a significant impact, scoring 146 runs in eight games at a strike rate of 136.45, while also failing to deliver consistently with the ball.
Mumbai’s struggles have been linked in part to a leadership transition ahead of the season, when Rohit Sharma was replaced as captain by Pandya. The move, intended to usher in a new phase for the franchise, has instead coincided with inconsistent performances and a lack of on-field cohesion, leaving the five-time champions searching for stability as the tournament progresses.
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