Hardik Pandya injured ahead of the PBKS vs MI IPL 2026 match? Who will be the MI captain?

All-rounder Corbin Bosch has opened up about the atmosphere inside the Mumbai Indians dressing room as captain Hardik Pandya continues to recover from a back spasm that ruled him out of the team’s last two matches in the ongoing IPL 2026 season. Bosch, who stepped into the playing XI in Hardik’s absence, said the squad remains positive and fully trusts the medical team handling the skipper’s recovery. He expressed confidence that the support staff is doing everything possible to ensure Hardik returns to full fitness soon.

Hardik Pandya ruled out for the PBKS vs MI IPL 2026 match?

Ahead of Mumbai Indians’ clash against Punjab Kings, Bosch also reflected on the team’s disappointing campaign this season. According to him, MI’s struggles have largely come down to the inability to deliver complete performances as a unit. He pointed out that in several matches, either the batting or bowling department performed strongly, but the team failed to click collectively at crucial moments. On days when the batters dominated, the bowlers were unable to maintain pressure, while in other games the bowling attack excelled but the batting lineup could not capitalize. Bosch emphasized that achieving balance and consistency across departments remains the key challenge for Mumbai Indians moving forward.

"It's obviously been tough. Hardik is not only a leader but a fantastic cricketer as well. We've missed his presence when it comes to the on-field stuff. I'm sure the people who are making decisions and the people who are looking after him are trying to do the best for him and for the team itself," MI all-rounder Corbin Bosch said at the pre-match press conference.

"We just have not put together a complete game. One day it's been the bowlers who would do well and the batters struggle a little bit," he added.

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya continues to remain unavailable for selection despite putting in a rigorous three-hour training session ahead of the upcoming PBKS vs MI IPL 2026 fixture. The all-rounder, who has been recovering from a back spasm, reportedly trained at high intensity in a bid to regain match fitness. However, the medical team has not yet cleared him to travel with the squad to Dharamshala for the clash against the Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer.

The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 14, with the rest of the Mumbai Indians squad already arriving in the host city to begin preparations. Hardik’s absence is another setback for the franchise, which has struggled to maintain consistency throughout the tournament. Given the importance of managing his recovery carefully, the team management has decided not to rush the star all-rounder back into action. In Hardik’s continued absence, Suryakumar Yadav will once again take charge as the interim captain. The experienced batter has already led the side in recent matches and will be expected to guide Mumbai Indians through another crucial fixture as they look to revive their campaign in the latter stages of the tournament.

Mumbai Indians have officially been knocked out of the race for IPL 2026 playoffs, bringing a disappointing campaign to an early end for the five-time champions. With no chance of qualifying for the knockout stage, the franchise will now focus on finishing the tournament on a positive note and restoring some pride in their remaining league matches. Despite showing flashes of brilliance at different stages of the season, MI struggled to maintain consistency as a unit, which ultimately cost them a place in the top four.

The team management and players will use the remaining fixtures as an opportunity to test combinations, build momentum, and assess areas that require improvement ahead of the next season. Injuries, inconsistent performances, and the inability to deliver collectively in crucial moments proved damaging throughout the campaign. Mumbai Indians will now aim to regroup, learn from the setbacks of IPL 2026, and return stronger and more competitive in the following edition of the tournament.