Delhi: Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya is set to miss the team’s crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 encounter against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 10 in Raipur, according to a report by Cricbuzz. The all-rounder has not travelled with the squad, raising doubts over his availability for the must-win fixture. Pandya had already missed Mumbai Indians’ previous game against Lucknow Super Giants due to a reported back spasm. In his absence, Suryakumar Yadav stepped in as captain and led the side to a much-needed victory, keeping their playoff hopes alive. He is expected to continue in the leadership role if Pandya remains unavailable.
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The uncertainty around Pandya’s return was further highlighted by MI opener Ryan Rickelton, who admitted that the extent of the skipper’s condition remains unclear. Rickelton noted that while the issue was described as back spasms, there is no confirmed timeline for recovery, though the team hopes to have him back soon. Mumbai Indians boosted their campaign with a thrilling six-wicket win over Lucknow, successfully chasing down a daunting 229-run target in under 19 overs. Despite an early setback with Josh Inglis departing cheaply, Lucknow posted a competitive total thanks to strong contributions from Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran.
However, MI’s explosive chase kept them in contention. With just three wins from ten matches and six points overall, the five-time champions remain ninth on the table. They must win all remaining fixtures to reach 14 points and maintain a realistic chance of qualifying for the playoffs.
