Amidst all rumours around Hardik Pandya's sacking, it has finally been revealed that the Mumbai Indians' captain is scheduled to depart for Raipur on May 7's night to reunite with his teammates ahead of their upcoming fixture. While his participation in Sunday’s clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) remains unconfirmed, optimistic reports from within the MI camp suggest he is making steady progress in his recovery. The all-rounder missed the during the team’s recent match at the Wankhede Stadium against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) due to persistent back spasms, which also triggered rumours of him being sacked amidst MI's lacklustre show under his captaincy, but he now appears to be on the mend.
ALSO READ: BCCI finally reveals the real reason behind shifting IPL 2026 final from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad
Hardik Pandya to link up with MI squad ahead of RCB clash
The MI captain is booked on a late-night flight and will be accompanied by a small group of squad members who had not yet made the trip to Chhattisgarh. Upon his arrival, Pandya is expected to rejoin the collective preparations as the team builds toward a full-scale training session at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium. This practice window will likely serve as a crucial fitness test to determine if he is ready to lead the side in the weekend's high-stakes encounter.
"It is up to Nitin Patel and the medical team. There will be no decision on any changes in the middle of the season," a source said, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
ALSO READ: Pat Cummins tantalised with bumper $4 million deal to counter IPL's financial pull
Pandya is set to undergo a fitness assessment during a net session on Friday, May 8, which will allow the Mumbai Indians medical staff to make a definitive ruling on his availability for the upcoming match. While there is an undeniable atmosphere of frustration within the camp regarding the team's lackluster campaign, the management is reportedly deferring any major structural or personnel overhauls until after the season concludes. For now, the focus remains on navigating the remaining fixtures with the current core, provided their physical health permits.
Suryakumar Yadav may miss RCB vs MI clash after welcoming a baby girl
Regarding Suryakumar Yadav, the franchise is taking a highly supportive and flexible approach following the birth of his daughter. The Mumbai Indians management has granted him full autonomy over his participation, acknowledging that his return to the field depends entirely on his personal readiness during this significant family milestone. Having stepped up to lead the side in Pandya's absence during their last home game on May 4, Suryakumar's presence in the lineup remains uncertain and will be dictated by whether he feels mentally prepared to leave his family and rejoin the squad in Raipur.