Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya could miss the team’s upcoming IPL 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. MI are set to face RCB in their 11th match of this year’s IPL on Sunday, May 10. The fixture between the two star-studded teams is scheduled to take place at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. According to a report in Cricbuzz on Wednesday (May 6), Hardik is not travelling to Raipur with the MI squad for their next match against RCB.
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As per the publication, Mumbai Indians players had assembled at Terminal 1 (domestic) of Mumbai airport on Wednesday afternoon, but Pandya was not with the team. There is no immediate indication about Pandya joining
the team closer to the match.
Pandya, who was retained by MI for Rs 16.35 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, missed MI’s last IPL 2026 match against Lucknow Super Giants due to illness. In his absence, Suryakumar Yadav captained the Mumbai-based franchise.
“Hardik Pandya is unwell with back spasm, hence Suryakumar Yadav is captain for today’s game,” the franchise said in a statement on Monday, May 4.
Hardik’s performance in IPL 2026
Hardik, who is the captain of the Mumbai Indians for IPL 2026, has played eight matches so far this season but failed to impress with his performance both as a batter and bowler. In eight matches, he has only managed to score a total of 146 runs. His batting average in this year’s IPL is 20.86, and he has scored runs with a strike rate of 136.44. Pandya has smashed a total of 16 fours and 4 sixes in IPL 2026. With the ball, he has only dismissed four opposition batters in eight innings, and his economy rate is 11.90.
Must-win match for MI
The upcoming match against RCB is a must-win for Mumbai Indians. If MI lose against RCB or any of the remaining four matches, then they will get knocked out of the playoffs race. As of now, MI have 6 points to their credit from 10 matches played so far. Four wins in the next four matches will not guarantee MI a place in the playoffs, but they will remain in contention.
