Major update on Hardik Pandya's comeback for MI ahead of RCB clash in IPL 2026
(Courtesy : BCCI/IPL)
Hardik Pandya did not play in MI’s previous game against LSG.
Mumbai Indians (MI) will clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their next match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The RCB vs MI clash will take place on Sunday, May 10, at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
Mumbai have very slim chances of making it to the playoffs, as they have already lost seven games out of 10 and have only three wins under their belt. They are placed at the ninth spot in the points table with six points.
In their previous game, they defeated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by six wickets, chasing down a 229-run target. Captain Hardik Pandya was absent from the clash due to back spasms.
Suryakumar Yadav captained MI in Pandya’s absence and informed at the toss that Pandya was not well. While Pandya did not suffer any injury in his previous game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 2, the MI management has maintained that Pandya is suffering from back spasms.
Hardik Pandya to join MI in Raipur on May 7 ahead of RCB vs MI clash
Notably, Pandya did not travel with the MI squad to Raipur on Wednesday. However, he is set to take a flight on Thursday night with a few teammates and join the rest of the squad in Raipur, as per a report by Cricbuzz. However, his participation in the clash against RCB will depend on the medical team’s advice.
“It is up to Nitin Patel and the medical team. There will be no decision on any changes in the middle of the season,” a MI source was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
The MI players are scheduled to have a training session at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium tomorrow ahead of the next game.
After the previous clash against LSG, MI opener Ryan Rickelton had said that Pandya might join the squad for the next game in Raipur.
“I don’t know when he’s expected to be back. I only found out this afternoon that he had back spasms. So I’m not aware of the extent of it – I wouldn’t even call it an injury – or how serious it is or what he’s feeling. But I’m sure he’ll be back with the group as we head to Raipur this week,” Rickelton had said
Notably, Suryakumar Yadav was recently blessed with a baby girl and is currently in Mumbai. Hence, his participation in the clash against RCB is also doubtful.
In his last game against CSK, Pandya bowled two overs and scored 18 off 23 deliveries. He has struggled to make a mark with his batting and bowling.
Across eight games, he has scored 146 runs at a strike rate of 136.44, failing to smack any half-century. With the ball, Pandya has picked four wickets at an economy of 11.90.
When did Hardik Pandya last play for MI?
Pandya last played for MI in the clash against CSK on May 2.
Will Pandya play in RCB vs MI clash?
He is doubtful to play in the clash. His participation will depend on the medical team’s advice.
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Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.