Hardik Pandya will not be joining the Mumbai Indians party for the trip to Dharamsala, where the five-time champions take on Punjab Kings on Wednesday. The MI squad and support staff touched down in Himachal Pradesh on Monday afternoon, but the Mumbai skipper was seen absent from the travelling group. Having already missed the previous two outings because of back spasms, Pandya’s failure to travel has raised questions about whether his recovery will take longer, though team sources suggest there is still a window for him to link up with the squad before the match.
Hardik Pandya’s status and the injury assessment
There is uncertainty around Pandya’s availability for the contest in Dharamsala, and the situation has naturally sparked a wave of discussion on social media. However, those close to the team insist there is no hidden story and that the matter remains purely related to his fitness.
- Pandya did not travel with Mumbai Indians to Dharamsala despite the rest of the squad landing on Monday afternoon.
- He has already been sidelined for the last two matches due to back spasms.
- Even before the previous match, Pandya had joined the setup late, but he still did not take the field.
- Support staff in Mumbai are currently assessing his injury.
- Despite the absence from the travel group, it is still possible that he could end up travelling to Dharamsala.
- Team insiders maintain the speculation is overstated and that this remains a straightforward injury case.
Suryakumar Yadav also missing from Dharamsala
Pandya’s absence is not the only change within the MI camp for the Dharamsala game. Suryakumar Yadav is also not travelling, with the reason being personal—he has recently welcomed a child. The India T20I captain, who has led the side during Pandya’s time away, is expected to arrive in Dharamsala later.
- Suryakumar Yadav has also skipped the trip to Dharamsala.
- His unavailability is due to personal reasons after the birth of his child.
- He is expected to join the team in Dharamsala after arriving later.
- Suryakumar had reached Raipur on May 10, the day of the previous match, as the franchise allowed flexibility to report late.
- A similar late-reporting arrangement could apply for this trip as well.
MI’s season position and remaining fixtures
Mumbai Indians are currently positioned ninth in the points table. They have managed three wins from 11 matches and, with three games left, have already been ruled out of playoff contention.
- Mumbai Indians are ninth in the points table.
- The team has three wins from 11 games.
- MI have been eliminated from the playoff race with three matches remaining.
- Remaining matches include:
- Against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on May 20.
- Against Rajasthan Royals at Wankhede Stadium on May 24.
- The Wednesday night clash against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala.
Dhoni update: likely to travel to Lucknow
While the spotlight is on MI’s captaincy situation, there is also news from the Chennai Super Kings camp regarding MS Dhoni. The expectation is that Dhoni will travel to Lucknow unless he changes plans at the last minute.
Dhoni is recovering from a calf injury and has been a reluctant traveller during this IPL season. So far, he has accompanied the side for only two away games—one in Hyderabad and another in Mumbai—and he has missed CSK’s home fixtures at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
- MS Dhoni is expected to travel to Lucknow unless plans change at the last moment.
- He is currently recovering from a calf injury.
- This season, he has travelled with CSK for only two away matches: Hyderabad and Mumbai.
- He has also missed CSK’s home games at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
- The team has booked his ticket on an IndiGo commercial flight to Lucknow.
- The booking includes Dhoni with the rest of the travelling group of around 60 members.
- CSK management is hopeful Dhoni will make the trip.
CSK’s remaining matches and playoff hopes
Dhoni has not played a single match this season. With three matches still to come, there is growing anticipation that he could feature at least once—if not more—in CSK’s remaining games.
- Dhoni has not played any match this IPL season.
- CSK’s remaining three matches are:
- Against Lucknow SuperGiants on May 15.
- Against Sunrisers Hyderabad at home on May 18.
- Against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on May 21.
Chennai Super Kings are currently fifth in the points table with six wins. With only three matches remaining, they are still in contention for a playoff berth.
- CSK are fifth in the points table.
- They have six wins.
- With three games left, they remain within reach of a playoff spot.
