Mumbai Indians confirmed that Hardik Pandya will miss the crucial IPL 2026 clash against RCB due to a back spasm, with Suryakumar Yadav set to continue as stand-in captain.
Mumbai Indians have officially confirmed that skipper Hardik Pandya will miss their crucial IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 10 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
The franchise shared the development ahead of the must-win encounter, with the all-rounder still recovering from the back spasm that ruled him out of the previous match against Lucknow Super Giants.
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With Hardik unavailable, Suryakumar Yadav will once again take charge of the side as stand-in captain. The fixture holds massive importance for both franchises, especially for Mumbai Indians, who are hanging by a thread in the playoff race. Meanwhile, RCB are aiming to continue their winning momentum and strengthen their qualification hopes.
“Hardik continues to be evaluated by the medical team and then they will inform us on his progress. The second one is Surya’s coming in tomorrow (vs RCB),” Mumbai Indians announced during the pre-match press conference
Suryakumar Yadav Set To Lead MI Again Against RCB
Suryakumar Yadav had stepped in as captain during the MI vs LSG encounter after Hardik Pandya suffered the injury setback. With Pandya still under observation, Surya is now set to continue leading the side for another high-pressure game.
The Mumbai Indians camp would be hoping that the experienced batter can once again guide the side successfully as they attempt to stay alive in IPL 2026. The clash against RCB is expected to be a high-voltage contest, with both teams carrying contrasting campaigns into the fixture.
While Mumbai are almost out of the playoff race mathematically, RCB still remain among the strong contenders and cannot afford a slip-up at this stage of the competition.
Hardik Pandya’s IPL 2026 Season Comes Under Scrutiny
Hardik Pandya’s performances during IPL 2026 have attracted criticism from several quarters. Since taking over the captaincy role in IPL 2024, Mumbai Indians have struggled for consistency under his leadership. In the ongoing season, MI have managed only two victories from nine matches, with wins coming against Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders.
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Pandya has also failed to make a major impact individually. Across eight matches, he has scored 146 runs at an average of 20.86. With the ball, he has claimed only four wickets while conceding runs at an economy rate of 11.90.
His absence against LSG and the team’s improved performance under Suryakumar Yadav sparked discussions online, with many social media users speculating over the franchise’s decision-making. Hardik’s back spasm injury quickly became a major talking point, with fans debating whether Mumbai Indians had intentionally sidelined him amid poor results.
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