IPL 2026: Injured Hardik Pandya expected to be back for KKR game, says Shardul Thakur
Mumbai Indians all-rounder Shardul Thakur clarified that skipper Hardik Pandya’s absence in the last three matches was due to injury, adding that he could return for the next game against Kolkata Knight Riders while dismissing speculation over the star’s future with the franchise.
Hardik did not travel to Dharamsala for MI’s six-wicket win over Punjab Kings, where Jasprit Bumrah became the team’s third captain this season, after Suryakumar Yadav also missed the game following the birth of his child.
“Hardik is injured, so he couldn’t travel for a couple of games,” Thakur said at the post-match media interaction on Thursday.
Down with a back spasm, Hardik first missed MI’s home game against Lucknow Super Giants on May 4 and then sat out the clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur despite travelling with the squad.
“He went to Raipur (for the RCB match on May 10), but couldn’t play. He is training in Mumbai now and I expect him to be back in Kolkata and play (at Eden Gardens on May 20). Players like them, we always miss the quality,” Thakur added.
Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants were the first two teams to be eliminated from playoffs contention this season, with three league games to go.
Hardik has endured a disappointing campaign, both as captain and player.
In eight innings, he has scored 146 runs at an average of 20.85 and a strike rate of 136.44, with a highest score of 40. With the ball, he has managed only four wickets at an average of 61.50 and an economy rate of nearly 11.90 from 20.4 overs.
The underwhelming season also fuelled social media speculation, linking Hardik with possible moves to franchises such as Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, but Thakur brushed aside the rumours.
“There are a lot of discussions going on in social media, some are right, some are wrong… but this is also a management decision (of not travelling to Dharamsala),” he said.
Published on May 15, 2026
