Hardik Pandya's IPL Availability For Mumbai Indians Hangs In Balance

Latest update on Hardik's participation vs RCB [Source: AP]Mumbai Indians defeated the struggling LSG on Monday to get a much-needed confidence booster before yet another do-or-die IPL 2026 fixture, this time against the defending champions, RCB. The two sides will lock horns on Sunday, and even before a single ball has been delivered, MI are already down two men.In the MI Vs CSK IPL match, Mumbai Indians skipper, Hardik Pandya sustained a back injury, and as a result, he missed the next game against the LSG side on Monday evening.The team won in his absence, but the five-time IPL winners would dearly love to have Hardik back in the side against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He provides the much-needed depth to the Mumbai side, but the question arises: will Hardik be fit for the IPL match vs RCB?Will Hardik Pandya be fit for IPL 2026 match vs RCB? Here's the updateIn the latest development, it has been reported that the injured MI skipper will join the squad in Raipur on Thursday. He didn’t travel with the first batch of players, but will link with them three days before the RCB clash.According to the latest report by TOI, Hardik has been advised a precautionary one-week rest after he sustained a stiff back during the CSK match. The development stated that the decision on Hardik’s participation in the IPL 2026 match vs RCB will be taken closer to the fixture.If not against RCB, the MI management is confident that Hardik will be back in the lineup for the subsequent fixtures.Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav Leaves Mumbai Indians’ Camp After Hardik Pandya, Reason RevealedHardik Pandya's IPL 2026 form, a headache for MIEven though Hardik remains a key figure in the Mumbai Indians setup, his ongoing form in the IPL has become a headache for the franchise. He came into the IPL on the back of a T20 World Cup win, but so far, he has failed to deliver the goods.He has scored just 146 runs in eight matches, with a strike rate of 136. For a batter who is known for his six-hitting prowess, the all-rounder has only smacked 4 sixes in the entire IPL 2026, and has turned into a liability for his side.Meanwhile, with the ball, things get even worse as the right-arm pacer has bagged just 4 wickets, with an average of 61, and an economy of 11.90.This has hampered MI’s campaign as the former IPL winners sit at ninth spot, with just 3 wins out of 10.Latest update on Suryakumar Yadav's participation vs RCBNot only Hardik, but another key player is in danger of missing the IPL match vs RCB on Sunday. The middle-order explosive batter, Suryakumar Yadav, didn’t travel with the squad to Raipur, and speculations have risen that the MI batter is set to become a father, and hence, he might not play vs RCB.According to the TOI report, there is still suspension over SKY’s participation in the next game, and in all likelihood, the right-handed batter might not play on Sunday, but could be available for the subsequent matches.Also Read: Dropped Chances, Heavy Costs: How Fielding Lapses Are Defining IPL 2026