Mumbai Indians received a timely boost ahead of their high-profile clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with skipper Hardik Pandya set to travel to Raipur after missing the previous game due to a back spasm. Pandya was unavailable for the match against Lucknow Super Giants, where Suryakumar Yadav stepped in as captain in his absence. His return comes at a crucial stage of the season, with MI fighting to stay alive in the playoff race. The five-time champions are running out of chances and will need their experienced stars to step up quickly if they are to script a remarkable turnaround and revive their IPL 2026 campaign.
Hardik Pandya will reportedly join MI camp in Raipur. (PTI)
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Hardik was not part of the large first batch of Mumbai Indians players and support staff who travelled to Raipur, but a Cricbuzz report suggested he would take a late-night flight to reunite with his teammates.
With a six-day break between their previous outing against Lucknow Super Giants on May 4 and the upcoming fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 10, the Mumbai Indians squad and support staff are expected to arrive in Raipur in multiple groups.
There is also uncertainty around Pandya’s availability for the crucial encounter against the defending champions at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, given the fitness concerns that have already forced him to miss two matches this season.
“It is up to Nitin Patel and the medical team,” a Mumbai Indians source told Cricbuzz.
Mumbai Indians need miracle to qualify for playoffs
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With seven defeats and three victories, Mumbai Indians are languishing at the ninth spot in the points table and need to win each of their remaining matches to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
There is also uncertainty over Suryakumar Yadav's availability for the RCB clash, as he was blessed with a baby girl on Thursday. He will take a call on whether to take part or give it a miss.
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Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma made an emphatic return to the Mumbai Indians starting line-up after missing the last few matches due to a hamstring injury. The ex-MI skipper smashed 84 off 44 balls as he and fellow opener Ryan Rickelton set the platform for a six-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants and kept their campaign alive.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
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Home/Cricket/Mumbai Indians handed massive Hardik Pandya boost as skipper set to rejoin squad before do-or-die RCB clash: Report
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