Hardik Pandya Not Travelling With MI Squad to Raipur RCB Clash on May 10 in Doubt
Mumbai Indians are heading to Raipur for their May 10 fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but their captain is not with them. Hardik Pandya was not seen at Terminal 1 of Mumbai airport on Wednesday afternoon when the rest of the MI squad assembled for the flight. There is no confirmation that he will join the team closer to matchday.
This comes days after Pandya missed MI’s last match against Lucknow Super Giants at Wankhede, with back spasms cited as the official reason.
What Happened in the LSG Match?
When Pandya did not feature against LSG on May 4, Suryakumar Yadav stepped in as stand-in captain. At the toss, Suryakumar kept it brief: “He’s not well tonight, so I’m just stepping into his shoes. But otherwise, everything is fine.”
The franchise backed that up with a statement of their own: “Hardik Pandya is unwell with back spasm, hence Suryakumar Yadav is captain for today’s game.”
MI went on to win that match emphatically — without their skipper.
Ryan Rickelton Admits He Knew Very Little
MI opener Ryan Rickelton was asked about Pandya’s return after the LSG game. His answer raised more questions than it answered.
“I don’t know when he’s expected to be back. I only found out this afternoon that he had back spasms. So I’m not aware of the extent of it — I wouldn’t even call it an injury — or how serious it is or what he’s feeling. But I’m sure he’ll be back with the group as we head to Raipur this week,” Rickelton said.
That last part has not aged well. Pandya is not with the group heading to Raipur.
Pandya’s Form This Season Has Been a Problem Anyway
Even before this injury situation, the numbers told a difficult story. Here is how Pandya has performed across eight games in IPL 2026:
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Runs scored | 146 |
| Matches batted | 8 |
| Strike rate | 136.45 |
| Wickets taken | 4 |
| Matches bowled | 8 |
Those are modest numbers for someone captaining a side and expected to contribute at both ends. His last outing before the injury came at Chepauk on May 2, where CSK beat MI by eight wickets. Pandya bowled two overs and batted at number six, scoring 18 off 23 balls — underwhelming by any measure.
His captaincy record across three seasons also makes for difficult reading. In 37 matches as MI captain, he has 14 wins and 23 losses — a win percentage of 37.83. That is a number that has been discussed plenty in cricket circles this season.
MI’s Situation in IPL 2026
With or without Pandya, Mumbai Indians are in a tough spot. They are ninth on the table with three wins from ten matches. Four games remain:
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| May 10 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Raipur |
| May 14 | Punjab Kings | Away |
| May 20 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Away |
| May 24 | Rajasthan Royals | Home |
Even if MI win all four, they reach a maximum of 14 points — and that may still not be enough depending on how other results go. The IPL 2026 points table is tight, and the race for the top four is not over for several teams.
MI players and coaches have maintained publicly that they are not giving up. But the math is unforgiving.
Is There More to This Than a Back Spasm?
That is the question fans and media are sitting with right now. MI officials have been firm that it is purely a back issue and nothing else should be read into it. But Pandya not travelling with the squad, with no word on when he rejoins, adds to the noise.
His form has not justified his place in the playing eleven on numbers alone this season. Whether the back spasms are genuine or there is a broader management decision at play, only MI know right now.
What is clear is that the RCB vs MI fixture on May 10 in Raipur looks set to happen without Pandya — which means Suryakumar Yadav or another senior player steps up again. For the RCB squad, facing an MI side without their captain could be a significant advantage going into that game.
Check the full IPL 2026 match schedule to keep track of what is coming up for both sides.
For live match updates and streaming info, visit the IPL 2026 live streaming section.
FAQs
Why is Hardik Pandya not travelling with MI to Raipur?
Pandya was not seen at Mumbai airport when the MI squad assembled on May 6. The only official reason on record is back spasms, which also kept him out of the May 4 game against LSG.
Who will captain Mumbai Indians if Pandya misses the RCB match?
Suryakumar Yadav stood in as captain for the LSG game and is the most likely option again if Pandya does not recover in time for the May 10 clash.
How has Hardik Pandya performed in IPL 2026?
Pandya has scored 146 runs at a strike rate of 136.45 and taken four wickets in eight matches — below expectations for someone in his all-rounder role.
What is MI’s current standing in IPL 2026?
Mumbai Indians are ninth on the points table with three wins from ten matches. They have four games remaining and can reach a maximum of 14 points.
When is MI’s next match in IPL 2026?
Mumbai Indians play Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 10 in Raipur, followed by Punjab Kings on May 14, Kolkata Knight Riders on May 20, and Rajasthan Royals on May 24.
Did MI win without Hardik Pandya?
Yes. MI beat Lucknow Super Giants on May 4 with Suryakumar Yadav as captain, while Pandya was absent due to back spasms.
