Hardik Pandya offered an update on his workload by sharing glimpses of a solo practice session at Reliance Corporate Park on Tuesday, with footage showing him taking his cuts under floodlights and clearing the ropes with several big hits. The training stint, according to reports, lasted more than three hours.
Hardik Pandya’s fitness timeline and MI’s reshuffle
- Hardik Pandya trained alone at Reliance Corporate Park on Tuesday, batting under lights and striking long shots.
- Reports stated he spent over three hours in that session.
- MI’s captain missed the team’s matches against Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru due to a back spasm.
- Suryakumar Yadav took charge of MI during Pandya’s absence.
- MI travelled to Dharamsala from Chandigarh on Tuesday, but neither Pandya nor Yadav made the trip.
- Hardik Pandya was described as “unlikely” to join the MI squad for the Thursday fixture against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala.
There is also personal context around Suryakumar Yadav’s recent schedule: he was recently blessed with a baby girl. For MI’s match versus RCB, Yadav reportedly arrived late, and the next question for the franchise is when he will be able to link up with the playing group this time.
While discussions around Pandya’s availability have gathered pace online, a separate report from Cricbuzz suggested that much of the speculation is overstated. The report claimed that “sources insist there is nothing more to read into it,” framing the situation as a straightforward injury matter rather than anything additional.
On the performance front, Pandya has endured a difficult stretch in IPL 2026. In eight matches, he has accumulated 146 runs and taken only four wickets, highlighting how his impact has dipped during the tournament.
Mumbai Indians, despite widespread struggles this season, still carry the ability to disrupt opponents and upset plans. With the tournament moving into its later stages, the side’s immediate focus is whether Pandya—who sat out the previous two games because of a niggle—can return for action on Wednesday night.
Suryakumar Yadav, meanwhile, has faced challenges with the bat at both international and franchise level over the past year or so. With only three IPL matches remaining, he will be keen to make those outings count and arrest the run of poor form.
MI will also look for early momentum from their key top-order options. Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma are expected to provide a strong start during the powerplay, setting the tone for what the team hopes will be a productive finish.
In the bowling department, Trent Boult—though not yet certain to start—and Jasprit Bumrah will be tasked with making early inroads. The pitch and conditions are described as seam-friendly, giving the Mumbai pace attack an opportunity to put pressure on batters from the first overs.
