Hardik Pandya’s absence raised eyebrows ahead of Mumbai Indians’ clash against Lucknow Super Giants, with the MI captain missing yet another IPL 2026 game. The all-rounder’s fitness has now become a fresh concern for the franchise as the tournament enters a crucial phase.
In his absence, Suryakumar Yadav stepped in to lead MI, marking the second time this season Pandya has missed a game. While MI did not initially provide full clarity, the situation became clearer as updates emerged during and after the match.
MI vs LSG: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
Speaking after MI’s win, opener Ryan Rickelton admitted that even the players were not fully aware of the severity of the issue.
“I don’t know when he’s expected to be back. I found out this afternoon that he had back spasms, so I’m unaware of the extent of it. I don’t want to call it an injury; I’m unaware of how bad it is or what he’s feeling. But I’m sure he’ll be with the group again as we head to Raipur this week,” Rickelton said.
The update suggests that while the injury is not being treated as a long-term setback, there is still no fixed timeline for Pandya’s return.
WHY DID HARDIK PANDYA NOT PLAY MI vs LSG?
Mumbai Indians confirmed before the match that Pandya was unavailable due to a back spasm.
The issue reportedly surfaced close to the game, with MI stating that the all-rounder was “unwell,” prompting Suryakumar to take over captaincy duties. This was also the second match Pandya has missed this season, having earlier sat out the game against Delhi Capitals.
Back spasms, while not always serious, can be tricky to manage, especially for an all-rounder who contributes with both bat and ball. As things stand, MI are expected to take a cautious approach before rushing their captain back into the XI.
HOW MI DEFEATED LSG
Despite missing their captain, MI produced one of their most complete performances of the season.
LSG posted a strong 228 for 5, driven by Nicholas Pooran’s 63 off 21, Mitchell Marsh’s 44, and an unbeaten 40 from Himmat Singh.
However, MI made light work of the chase.
A dominant 143-run opening stand between Ryan Rickelton (83 off 32) and Rohit Sharma (84 off 44) took the game away early. Even a brief wobble in the middle overs did little to derail the chase, with MI reaching 229 with eight balls to spare.
The win helped MI snap a losing run, but with the team still placed ninth with three wins in ten matches, getting Pandya back fit could be key to any late push in IPL 2026.
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