IPL 2026 | Hardik Pandya likely to return for KKR clash, confirms Mumbai Indians teammate
Mumbai Indians' captain Hardik Pandya is sidelined with a back spasm, missing three consecutive matches. All-rounder Shardul Thakur provided an update, suggesting Pandya could return for the May 20th match against Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite the team's elimination from IPL 2026, Pandya's absence and poor form have been significant factors in their disappointing season.
NEW DELHI: When will Hardik Pandya return? How serious is his injury? When will the Mumbai Indians captain be back in action?
These are some of the questions dominating social media as Pandya has now missed three consecutive matches for Mumbai Indians. Sidelined with a back spasm, Pandya first missed Mumbai Indians’ home clash against Lucknow Super Giants on May 4. He then sat out the game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur despite travelling with the squad.
In his absence, Suryakumar Yadav led the side. Pandya also did not travel to Dharamsala for Mumbai Indians’ six-wicket win over Punjab Kings, where Jasprit Bumrah became MI’s third captain this season after Suryakumar missed the game following the birth of his child. Mumbai Indians all-rounder Shardul Thakur provided a major update on Pandya and confirmed that the all-rounder’s absence from the last three games was injury-related.
Shardul also hinted that Pandya could return for Mumbai Indians’ next match against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on May 20, while dismissing speculation surrounding the MI captain’s future with the franchise. "Hardik is injured, so he couldn't travel for a couple of games," Thakur said during the post-match media interaction on Thursday. "He went to Raipur (for the RCB match on May 10), but couldn't play.