DC vs MI: Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel won the toss and chose to bowl first against Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2026 clash on Saturday.
The five-time champions were without regular captain Hardik Pandya, who was unavailable, leading to Suryakumar Yadav stepping in as stand-in skipper.
In Pandya's absence, the Mumbai Indians reshuffled their lineup, bringing in Deepak Chahar, while also including Corbin Bosch and Mitchell Santner. The trio replaced Trent Boult and Allah Ghazanfar in the playing XI.
"He's not well, doesn't look good, so he was not fit for today's game. So just getting into his shoes today," said Suryakumar, speaking on Hardik's condition during the toss.
What Does Social Media Think About Hardik Pandya's Absence?
While the Mumbai Indians captain cited a fitness issue as the reason behind
his absence from today's game against DC, fans on social media have a different take on the same. Word has spread rapidly online that Hardik Pandya missed today's match because of his girlfriend, Mahika Sharma.
🚨 HARDIK PANDYA STEPS OUT OF MI LINEUP 🚨
🚨 LOVE DEMANDS SACRIFICE 🚨
Hardik Pandya has opted out of today’s MI match, with Suryakumar Yadav taking charge of the side.
Reports suggest the decision came after Mahieka Sharma couldn’t reach Arun Jaitley Stadium on time, leading… pic.twitter.com/tbnNFau5qL- Muffatball vikrant (@Vikrant_1589) April 4, 2026
According to fans, Mahika Sharma arrived late at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, which is why Hardik decided not to take the field. Social media is flooded with memes and reactions, but it's important to note that these are purely speculative claims circulating online, with no official confirmation or factual backing.
🚨HARDIK PANDYA NOT TRAVELING WITH MI TEAM🚨
- Sam (@Cricsam01) April 1, 2026
- Hardik Pandya arrived in Delhi separately with his girlfriend Mahieka for the upcoming match against DC.🤯
pic.twitter.com/3QBFxbTcMe
The absence of a proven match-winner like Hardik leaves a significant void for the Mumbai Indians. While concerns around his fitness continue to grow, the surge of viral speculation has only added to the uncertainty. Whether he returns fully fit for the next game or the mystery surrounding his situation intensifies remains to be seen.
Disclaimer: Part of the information provided in this article is based on social media claims. We do not confirm these claims. The official reason given for Hardik Pandya's absence is his fitness.
