Will Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya play against RCB at Raipur? Mumbai Indians predicted XI for RCB vs MI in IPL 2026

KEY TAKEAWAYS: MI's Suryakumar Yadav confirms availability for RCB clash despite a newborn baby. Hardik Pandya's fitness being monitored after missing last game with back spasms. MI ninth on the table, but four wins from remaining games could still save them.

Suryakumar Yadav ready for Raipur as the Mumbai Indians await a fitness update on Hardik Pandya Suryakumar Yadav is reportedly set to take the field in Raipur on Sunday for the clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. While there was never a formal question mark over his participation, the timing of his daughter's birth did create a moment of uncertainty about whether he would be able to travel to Raipur in time. However, Cricbuzz has confirmed that Suryakumar has already communicated his availability to the team management and is expected to arrive in Raipur shortly.

He led Mumbai Indians in their previous fixture on May 4 against Lucknow Super Giants, deputising in the absence of regular captain Hardik Pandya. Whether he continues in that leadership role on Sunday remains to be seen. Pandya was ruled out of the LSG game due to back spasms, and his recovery is ongoing.

The decision on whether he will play rests with Ben Langley, MI's head of sports medicine, and physio Nitin Patel. Pandya underwent an initial fitness assessment on Friday, with another scheduled for Saturday. He has not been part of training sessions in Raipur but is expected to join a session later on Saturday evening.