IPL 2026, RCB vs MI Today Match: Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya is not part of the playing XI for match 54 of the Indian Premier League 2026 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Sunday due to a back spasm.
In Hardik’s absence, India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav is leading the five-time IPL champions once again. Suryakumar had also captained Mumbai Indians in their previous match against Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium on May 4.
Hardik had missed that game as well after suffering discomfort in his back. Although the all-rounder travelled with the MI squad to Raipur ahead of the crucial fixture against RCB, the franchise management decided not to risk him without full medical clearance.
Mumbai Indians are currently fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive after a difficult IPL 2026 campaign. The side entered the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru needing victories in all remaining league-stage fixtures to stay in contention for a place in the playoffs.
Hardik has struggled for consistency this season, scoring 146 runs and taking four wickets in eight matches so far in IPL 2026.
This is also the third match he has missed during the ongoing IPL campaign after earlier sitting out the game against Delhi Capitals due to illness.
Toss Result
RCB captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and elected to bowl first against MI.
Playing XIs
Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton(w), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Will Jacks, Raj Bawa, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar
Impact Substitutes:
Mumbai Indians Impact Subs: Trent Boult, Raghu Sharma, Mayank Rawat, Robin Minz, Shardul Thakur
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact Subs: Devdutt Padikkal, Jordan Cox, Mangesh Yadav, Swapnil Singh, Venkatesh Iyer