Hardik Pandya could not play the last few matches of the ongoing IPL 2026 due to back spasms. He was scheduled to feature in the contest against RCB, but could not return as the Mumbai Indians medical team did not clear him to participate in that contest. However, there were reports that Hardik may be available for Match 58 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala.
PBKS vs MI: Toss Update
As the captains of both the teams walked out for the toss, Shreyas Iyer was the host captain and was leading PBKS, but MI had a new face as their leader, with Suryakumar Yadav also out of the match. In the absence of Hardik and Suryakumar, top fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been given the responsibility of leading the franchise, who are already out of the playoff race.
As soon as Iyer tossed the coin, Bumrah eventually got it right in the toss, meaning the toss went in favor of the visiting team, who in turn opted to bowl first.
PBKS vs MI: Why is Hardik still unavailable?
It is understood that Hardik is recovering from his back injury and will return to the field only when the medical team deems him fully fit and available to take the field. AM Ghazanfar also missed out for Mumbai, while Punjab made three changes to their lineup, adding Xavier Bartlett, Azmatullah Omarzai and Harpreet Brar.
PBKS vs MI: What did the captains say?
Mumbai Indians captain, Jasprit Bumrah,
“We have decided to bowl first. We watched the last game and felt that maybe the wicket will be fine as the cold weather comes. I didn't think I would be a Test captain before becoming MI captain (smiling). As much as we can, we have three games left and we want to enjoy and maybe upset some teams. Surya is not here due to personal reasons and Allah is also not there.”
Shreyas Iyer, Punjab Kings captain,
“We could have bowled first as well. The wicket looks a bit dry. Still don't know what the pitch will be like so be positive about it. We need to stop thinking about what has gone wrong. We need to think about being in good shape and having a positive mindset. Harpreet Brar, Xavier Bartlett and Azmatullah Omarzai come in.”
PBKS vs MI: Playing XI
punjab kings
Prabhsimran Singh (wicketkeeper), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Cooper Connolly, Shashank Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Johnson, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Effect Options: Vijaykumar Vaishya, Harpreet Brar, Michelle Owen, Vishnu Vinod, Praveen Dubey
Mumbai Indians
Ryan Rickelton (wk), Naman Dheer, Sherfane Rutherford, Tilak Verma, Will Jacques, Raj Bawa, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Raghu Sharma.
Effect Options: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Rawat, Robin Minz, Krish Bhagat, Trent Boult
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