The latest Hardik Pandya injury update has sent a fresh wave of concern through the Mumbai Indians camp. MI’s captain was not part of the first batch of players and support staff who travelled to Raipur on Wednesday (May 6) for the franchise’s must-win IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 10 — but he is expected to join the squad later and is likely to be fit for the game.
The Hardik Pandya injury that kept him out of MI’s previous game against Lucknow Super Giants — a back spasm — appears to be a minor niggle rather than a serious concern. A team source has indicated that Pandya was advised rest for the LSG match as a precautionary measure, and is expected to lead MI in Raipur.
According to Cricbuzz, the MI squad assembled at Terminal 1 of Mumbai’s domestic airport on Wednesday afternoon, but the skipper was conspicuous by his absence. With a five-day gap between MI’s last game on May 4 and the RCB fixture on May 10, the players and staff are making their way to Raipur in separate batches. There are limited flight options between Mumbai and Raipur, which is also a logistical factor behind the staggered travel. The batch that travelled on Wednesday will not be training in Raipur on Thursday.
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Will Hardik Pandya Play RCB vs MI In Raipur
Is Hardik Pandya fit for the RCB match? Based on the latest Hardik Pandya injury update, the answer is likely yes. His back spasm is being described as a minor issue, and with a couple of days still remaining before the May 10 fixture at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Pandya has enough time to recover and travel to Raipur ahead of the weekend.
However, no official confirmation has come from the Mumbai Indians franchise about Pandya’s availability. The franchise had issued a brief statement ahead of the LSG game — “Hardik Pandya is unwell with back spasm, hence Suryakumar Yadav is captain for today’s game” — but has remained silent since.
MI opener Ryan Rickelton, after his match-winning knock against LSG, offered a measured response on the Hardik Pandya injury. He said he only found out about the back spasm on the afternoon of the game, didn’t consider it a serious injury, and expected Pandya to rejoin the group ahead of the Raipur trip. That assessment now appears to be playing out, with Pandya expected to travel separately and be available for the RCB clash.
This is the second time Pandya has missed a game due to health-related issues in IPL 2026. Back injuries have been a recurring theme in his career — a prolonged back problem kept him away from bowling for an extended period earlier in his career, and managing his workload has been a constant balancing act for the all-rounder since.
Hardik Pandya’s Underwhelming IPL 2026 Campaign
The Hardik Pandya injury update comes against the backdrop of a deeply underwhelming individual season. In eight matches this IPL 2026, Pandya has managed just 146 runs at a strike rate of 136.45, with a highest score of 40. With the ball, the numbers are equally modest — four wickets across the season.
His last outing was against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk on May 2, where he bowled two overs and scored 18 off 23 balls as MI suffered an eight-wicket defeat. The all-rounder has been unable to provide the finishing power or bowling breakthroughs that MI need from their captain, and his form reflects the broader struggles of the franchise this season.
What Hardik Pandya’s Absence Means For MI’s Playoff Hopes
Mumbai Indians sit ninth on the IPL 2026 points table with six points from three wins in ten matches. The maths is unforgiving — MI need to win all four of their remaining games to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Interestingly, Hardik Pandya missed the LSG clash and it turned out to be a comfortable six-wicket victory for MI, with the team chasing down 229 under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy. Rohit Sharma and Rickelton starred in a record chase, and the team looked a different unit altogether. That result has only added to the noise around Pandya’s role and the dynamics within the MI camp.
If Pandya does play against RCB as expected, it will be a crucial test — not just for his fitness, but for MI’s season. The defending champions RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, represent a formidable challenge in what is effectively a do-or-die fixture for Mumbai.
For the full breakdown of where every team stands in the race for the knockout stage, check our IPL 2026 playoff scenarios hub.
