Hardik Pandya is training with full intensity in Kolkata. Are the cards returnable?

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya practiced at full intensity during his team’s training session on Monday, May 19. His active participation strongly suggests his return for the upcoming IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday.

Pandya has missed the last three matches of Mumbai Indians due to back spasm. He looked relaxed upon arrival and was among the first players to step off the team bus. He immediately had an extended bowling and batting session at the nets. The all-rounder bounced at full tilt and batted fluently, attracting considerable attention ahead of the KKR clash.

The star all-rounder last played in Mumbai’s away match against Chennai Super Kings on May 2 before being sidelined. He first missed the home match against Lucknow Super Giants on May 4. He then took part in an encounter with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur despite traveling with the team.

Pandya also did not travel to Dharamsala for Mumbai’s six-wicket win over Punjab Kings. Jasprit Bumrah became the franchise’s third captain this season in this match after Suryakumar Yadav also missed out following the birth of his child. Suryakumar has since rejoined the team and was also seen training on Monday.

Pandya’s recent absence has fueled intense speculation about his future with the franchise. The rumors gained momentum after he was seen interacting with Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan. Other media reports linked the all-rounder with a possible move to Delhi Capitals.

It has been a lean IPL season for Pandya so far. He scored just 146 runs at a strike rate of around 136, taking only four wickets at an expensive economy rate of close to 12.

His struggles mirror the Indians’ disastrous campaign from Bombay. The five-time champions managed to win just four times out of 12 matches. They have already been knocked out of the play-off contention alongside Lucknow Super Giants. Mumbai are currently placed in the bottom two of the table with eight points and only two league games remaining.

At the KKR camp, India’s star spinner Varun Chakravarthy has skipped training along with Matheesha Pathirana. Chakravarthy played brilliantly with a hairline fracture in his leg in his last match against Gujarat Titans.

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Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

19 May 2026 08:42 IST