IPL 2026: Hardik Pandya’s absence once again drew attention as the Mumbai Indians skipper missed their IPL 2026 clash against Lucknow Super Giants. It was the second match he has sat out this season, adding fresh concern for the franchise as the tournament moves into a decisive stage. With Pandya unavailable, Suryakumar Yadav took charge of the side. The Mumbai Indians did not initially give a detailed explanation, but clarity emerged around the situation after the game. Opener Ryan Rickelton later spoke about the matter, admitting that even within the squad, there was limited information on how serious the issue was.
He will be back in Raipur
Rickelton said, “I don’t know when he’s expected to be back. I found out this afternoon that he had back spasms, so I’m unaware of the extent of it. I don’t want to call it an injury; I’m unaware of how bad it is or what he’s feeling. But I’m sure he’ll be with the group again as we head to Raipur this week.”
The update indicates that Pandya is dealing with back spasms, though it is not considered a long-term setback for now. However, there is still no confirmed timeline for his return to action.
Why did Hardik not play against LSG?
Mumbai Indians confirmed ahead of the match that Hardik Pandya was ruled out due to a back spasm. The problem is said to have arisen close to game time, with the franchise noting that the all-rounder was “unwell,” leading Suryakumar Yadav to step in as captain.
This also marked the second time Pandya has missed a game this season, after previously sitting out the fixture against the Delhi Capitals.Back spasms are not always serious, but they can be difficult to handle, particularly for a player who regularly bowls and bats. For now, MI are likely to adopt a careful approach and avoid rushing their skipper back into the playing XI.
Hitman showed again in Wankhede
Rohit Sharma was not playing due to his injury, but yesterday he made his comeback against Lucknow Supergiants, and he played beautifully. Rohit made 84 runs on 44 balls, where he hit 6 fours and 7 sixes with a strike rate of 190.58. The way he batted, no one can even imagine that he is playing the 5th match of IPL 2026. Hitman scored 221 runs in just five matches with the help of two half-centuries, and 84 runs is his best score.
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