As the IPL 2026 season heats up, all eyes are on Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya, who missed the team's crucial last match against Lucknow Super Giants. Fans are now anxiously wondering: will he be fit to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Sunday's must-win clash?

Pandya's absence came as a surprise when Suryakumar Yadav led the team out for the toss against LSG. It was revealed that Pandya was sidelined with a back spasm, leaving MI to navigate yet another challenge in what has been a tough campaign. The star all-rounder has struggled to find his form this season, both with bat and ball, while MI have lost seven of their ten matches under his leadership.

When asked about Pandya's condition, teammate Ryan Rickleton offered little clarity. "I don't know when he's expected to be back. I only found out that afternoon that he had back spasms," he said. "I'm not aware of the extent of it—I wouldn't even call it an injury—but I'm sure he'll be back with the group as we head to Raipur."

However, reports suggest Pandya did not travel with the squad to Raipur ahead of Sunday's encounter against RCB. MI have yet to release an official update on his availability, leaving fans and analysts speculating about the captain's role in this critical fixture.

For a team already fighting to stay alive in the tournament, Pandya's presence—or absence—could make all the difference. Stay tuned for more updates as we track this developing story.