Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya remains uncertain about the side’s IPL 2026 clash against the Punjab Kings in Dharamsala, with all-rounder Corbin Bosch admitting the team has struggled without their skipper while hinting that the latest challenge could only be taken at the time of the toss.
Hardik missed Mumbai’s last two matches due to back spasms and did not travel with the team earlier this week. While the rest of the Mumbai Indians contingent arrived in Dharamsala on Monday afternoon, the skipper was conspicuously absent, adding further uncertainty over his availability for the Punjab match.
Speaking to the media on the eve of the match, Bosch admitted the impact Hardik’s absence had on the side.
“Yes, of course it was tough. Hardik is not only a leader but also a fantastic cricketer. We missed his presence when it comes to things on the field,” Bosch said.
“Again I’m sure the people who make the decisions and those who look after him are trying to do what’s best for him and for the team itself. So it’s been difficult but at the same time the game is moving forward and we still need to play cricket. It’s one of those things,” he added.
Bosch also hinted that Hardik’s participation may not be clear before the match starts.
“That’s a little above my grade, but I think the people who make those decisions – the physios and the management – know a little more than I do. From what I know, we’ll know tomorrow with the draw,” Bosch said.
Hardik also missed Mumbai’s previous clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur despite arriving late at the venue. Ahead of this match, Mumbai Indians confirmed that the captain is yet to get clearance from the medical team.
“Hardik has not been cleared by the medical team to take the field,” MI said ahead of the RCB game.
While Mumbai Indians continue to claim that Hardik Pandya is recovering from a back spasm, the intensity of his recent training session, clips of which he uploaded to social media, has sparked fresh speculation about his fitness status.
The Mumbai Indians captain posted the videos on his Instagram story showing him firing in the nets against Mumbai’s bowling specialists and bowlers.
Hardik’s injury concerns come at a difficult stage of the season for Mumbai Indians, who were among the first teams to be eliminated from the IPL 2026 playoffs. The captain’s own form has also come under scrutiny, with Hardik managing 146 runs and four wickets so far this season.
The five-time IPL champions arrived in Dharamsala from Chandigarh on Tuesday afternoon, but neither Hardik nor stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav traveled with the team.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
13 May 2026 18:43 IST
