Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav are part of MI's leadership group. PC- AP
The Mumbai Indians (MI) are going through a rough patch in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026). Sitting at the penultimate spot, the five-time champions are struggling to find a way to get over the line, as their mainstays, such as Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav, are not performing well.
MI are coming off a massive victory by beating LSG in their last outing, as Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton helped them achieve their biggest ever chase in IPL history.
However, MI Captain Pandya missed that LSG game due to a back spasm, and in his absence, Suryakumar Yadav led the team full of superstars. The Indian T20I captain has led MI twice in Pandya's absence.
Meanwhile, Suryakumar has not joined the team as he is with his wife, with the power couple recently welcoming a baby girl.
Big updates on Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav
After missing the previous game, Hardik Pandya travelled late to Raipur for MI's clash vs RCB. The prolific all-rounder, who has had a long history with back injuries, is still recovering from a back spasm.
Reported by RevSportz, the MI captain was missing from an optional practice session on Friday, while the rest of the players who had travelled to Raipur were seen sweating hard.
"MI had an optional practice session on Friday, but apart from Hardik, all the players who travelled to Raipur were present," a report from RevSportz mentioned.
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Furthermore, the publication also hinted at Suryakumar Yadav's availability. MI's stand-in captain will soon travel to Raipur before Sunday evening's RCB vs MI clash after welcoming his first child.
"Suryakumar Yadav is yet to join the squad and it is learnt that an update on his availability is expected by tomorrow (Saturday) evening. Surya and his wife, Devisha Shetty, were blessed with a baby girl on Thursday," the report added.
Moreover, SKY, as they call him, is expected to have a practice session with the team on the game's eve.
Why hasn't MI fared well in IPL 2026?
The MI IPL 2026 squad has been full of superstars, with a strong core comprising Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Tilak Varma and Rohit Sharma.
Although the former captain came in fresh into the season, the rest of their core players came straight from the 2026 T20 World Cup. They are clearing looking fatigue, which has been the biggest drawback for MI.
Adding insult to injury, the in-form Rohit Sharma sustained a hamstring injury in the early half of the IPL 2026, and it took him over a fortnight to get fully fit. Fortunately, the former MI captain has recovered well, but Pandya is down and out now.
Can Mumbai Indians qualify for the playoffs?
Thanks to Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton, MI won their third match of the season. After playing 10 matches, MI sits in the second-last spot of the IPL 2026 points table.
With four games to go, Mumbai may fancy their chances of qualifying for the playoffs if they win all their remaining fixtures. However, even with 14 points, their chances for playoff qualification are very slim.
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