Mumbai Indians (MI) secured a comprehensive six-wicket win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash on Thursday, May 14 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. Jasprit Bumrah captained MI in the absence of Hardik Pandya, who missed the game due to back spasms.
Shardul Thakur gives update on Hardik's return
Overall, it was the third game missed by the MI skipper in the ongoing season. Appearing at the post game press conference, Shardul Thakur dropped a key update on Hardik Pandya's comeback with an expected date.
At the post-game press conference, Shardul addressed the recent rumors going around Hardik's future at MI by saying certain things are true and some of them are baseless.
“There is a lot of chatter on social media. Some are true and some are false. But only the team management decides in the end,” said Shardul.
Lately, Hardik Pandya has been linked with the sides like Delhi Capitals (DC) after experiencing a disastrous campaign in the ongoing IPL 2026 season with Mumbai Indians.
Opening up on Hardik Pandya's fitness and when he could make a comeback for the rest of the two games of MI, Shardul revealed that the star all-rounder is currently staying in Mumbai and is expected to come back in action for the game against Ajinkya Rahane's Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
"If we talk specifically about Hardik Pandya, he had an injury and he did not travel with the team. He travelled to Raipur, but he was not able to play there. He is now in Mumbai training. I am expecting him to return to action in Kolkata and play the game," said Shardul.
“We always miss a player of his calibre when he doesn’t play,” Shardul concluded.
Hardik Pandya's torrid IPL campaign
In the ongoing season, MI skipper Hardik Pandya has failed to lead from the front by setting examples, scoring only 146 runs in eight games at an average of 18.25 with an underwhelming strike rate of 136.45. His struggle with the ball was evident as well, clinching only four wickets at an economy rate of 12.06.