Mumbai Indians bounced back to winning form in the IPL 2026, recording their fourth victory of the campaign in a thrilling win over Punjab Kings on Thursday. The match was led by Jasprit Bumrah, with Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav missing the fixture. While MI have indicated that Hardik’s absence stems from a back spasm, chatter around the team has suggested there may be more behind the scenes.
MI’s turnaround and the captaincy change
With both Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav unavailable for the clash, the responsibility of leading the side fell to Jasprit Bumrah. The result helped Mumbai Indians return to the winners’ circle, adding another step to their progress in the league phase of IPL 2026.
Hardik’s absence sparks debate over dressing-room unity
As Hardik remains sidelined, reports have circulated about potential discord in the MI dressing room involving him and certain teammates. Virender Sehwag, a former India opener, addressed the controversy directly—making a distinction between cricketing merit and alleged off-field tension.
- MI have suggested Hardik’s non-availability is linked to a back spasm.
- Rumours claim there is additional context beyond the injury explanation.
- Sehwag does not think every rumour is automatically accurate, but believes the franchise should act decisively if the concerns are real.
Sehwag’s view: keep Hardik for cricket, but act if the claims hold weight
During a discussion on Cricbuzz, Sehwag laid out his stance in plain terms. He said that if the situation is purely about cricket, then Hardik should be retained. However, if the rumours about dressing-room tension or off-field issues are true, then the franchise should release him. Sehwag also stressed that if the allegations are false, then Hardik must stay because he is a top-quality player.
He added that, personally, he would want to keep Hardik regardless of the current noise. In his view, any dressing-room differences—if they exist—can be resolved, because a franchise needs everyone functioning as a unit. Sehwag argued that Hardik’s value extends beyond headlines and that Mumbai Indians need him both as a player and as part of the team’s overall balance.
Hardik’s value versus IPL money: Sehwag’s comparison with Rishabh Pant
Sehwag also weighed in on player value in financial terms, pointing to Rishabh Pant as the highest-priced player in the IPL at present. Pant was bought for Rs 27 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, and Sehwag suggested that Hardik’s on-field worth aligns more closely with that Rs 27 crore figure than with his current salary.
- Rishabh Pant is currently the most expensive player in the IPL after his Rs 27 crore purchase in the IPL 2025 mega auction.
- Sehwag believes Hardik’s true value is around Rs 27 crore, rather than his present salary of Rs 16 crore.
- He also noted that Hardik produced good performances even in periods when he was not Mumbai Indians’ captain.
Sehwag further remarked that the gap between the numbers is not as big as critics might assume, stating that Rs 16.35 crore is “very little” in the context of Hardik’s overall quality. He concluded that Hardik should be considered a “Rs 27 crore player,” reinforcing his argument for retention.
What happens next for MI and Hardik
Mumbai Indians still have two matches remaining before their IPL 2026 campaign reaches its conclusion. The key question now is whether Hardik will return in either of the final fixtures and rejoin the playing XI after missing the Thursday encounter.
