Back spasm or bigger problem? Hardik Pandya doesn't board MI's flight to Raipur

Hardik Pandya Skips MI's Flight to Raipur, Set to Miss Second Straight Game Against RCB

Mumbai Indians' troubled IPL 2026 campaign has taken another worrying turn. Captain Hardik Pandya did not travel with the rest of the squad to Raipur on Wednesday morning for Sunday's 54th match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and the franchise is yet to issue an official statement on his availability.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, the Mumbai Indians contingent assembled at Terminal 1 of Mumbai airport on Wednesday, May 6, ahead of their flight to Raipur. The captain, however, was notably absent from the gathering. With no immediate indication that Pandya will fly out separately to join the team closer to matchday, the all-rounder appears all but certain to miss the high-stakes clash against RCB.

Why is Hardik Missing?

The 32-year-old all-rounder has been dealing with a back spasm that ruled him out of Mumbai Indians' previous IPL 2026 fixture against Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday, May 4. There has been no official medical bulletin on his recovery progress, and conflicting accounts emerged after the LSG match itself.

Stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav initially told the broadcasters that Hardik was missing simply because he was "unwell." However, the franchise itself later clarified that the issue was a back spasm — a recurring concern for Pandya throughout his career. South African batter Ryan Rickelton, speaking at the post-match presentation, also confirmed that Hardik had suffered the spasm shortly before the LSG game and that there was no clear timeline for his return.

A History of Back Trouble

Back injuries have shadowed Hardik Pandya for much of his international career. They forced him out of the longer formats for years and have repeatedly required extended rehabilitation stints. Most recently, Pandya had to check in to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru after limping off the field during a Champions Trophy game last year. The pattern of recurrence is exactly what makes this latest setback worth watching closely.

For an all-rounder who shoulders the dual workload of bowling at the death and finishing innings with the bat, even a minor flare-up can quickly turn into a longer absence. With MI scheduled to play multiple matches in quick succession over the next two weeks, the franchise will need to be cautious about rushing him back.

Suryakumar Yadav Likely to Lead Again

In Hardik's absence, Suryakumar Yadav is expected to take charge of Mumbai Indians for the second straight match. SKY captained MI to a comfortable win against LSG on Monday — only his fourth IPL game in charge of the franchise — and now seems set for another stint at the helm against RCB in Raipur.

It is worth noting that despite being one of India's most successful T20I captains in recent years — most famously leading them to a T20 World Cup title — Suryakumar was overlooked when MI handed the captaincy to Hardik before IPL 2025. The franchise has reaffirmed multiple times that Pandya remains their long-term leader, but his repeated injury concerns are quietly building pressure on that decision.

Mumbai Indians' Bleak Playoff Picture

The timing of Hardik's absence could not be worse. Mumbai Indians have managed just 3 wins in their 10 games this season and sit deep in the bottom half of the table. Even if they win every remaining game, the qualification math is now stacked heavily against them — multiple results will need to fall their way for the five-time champions to sneak into the top four.

Despite the dismal campaign, MI have made it clear that Hardik will continue as captain beyond this season. But with Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma reportedly under pressure for inconsistent performances, and the leadership question quietly bubbling in the background, every match without Hardik becomes a high-stakes test of MI's depth and direction.

What's at Stake Against RCB

Sunday's clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur is, on paper, a game between two teams in completely different positions. RCB have been in fine form this IPL and are well-placed in the playoff race. Mumbai, by contrast, are essentially playing for pride and any faint mathematical hope. Without their captain, all-round talisman, and primary death-overs option, MI will be relying heavily on Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Tilak Varma to deliver yet another collective performance.

Mumbai Indians' Likely XI vs RCB

Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Will Jacks, Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Hardik Pandya (subject to fitness — currently doubtful), Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult.

What's Next?

The Mumbai Indians management is expected to provide an official update on Hardik Pandya's fitness in the next 24-48 hours. If he does not improve in time for the RCB game, the focus shifts to whether he can be back in the playing XI for the remaining fixtures of the season — and, more importantly, whether MI's medical team can manage his back issue without it spilling into India's upcoming international commitments.

For Mumbai Indians fans, this season has been about navigating one storm after another. The latest one — their captain quietly missing from the team's flight on a Wednesday morning — feels uncomfortably familiar.