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IPL 2026: Hardik Pandya Sits Out, Rohit Sharma Returns as Suryakumar Yadav Leads MI vs LSG

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya is ruled out of the IPL 2026 match against Lucknow Super Giants due to a back spasm. Suryakumar Yadav takes over as captain and elects to bowl first at the Wankhede Stadium. Rohit Sharma returns to the MI squad after an injury break, placed on the Impact Bench. Both teams come into the match with poor recent form, MI having lost four of their last five games.

Key Points: IPL 2026: Hardik Out, Rohit Back as MI Face LSG

  • Hardik Pandya out due to back spasm
  • Rohit Sharma returns to MI Impact Bench
  • Suryakumar Yadav captains MI in Hardik's absence
  • LSG debut for Josh Inglis, Akshat Raghuvanshi replaces Mukul Choudhary
  • Both teams struggling with recent form
3 min read

IPL 2026: Hardik Pandya unwell, Rohit comes in for MI as Surya elects to bowl v LSG

Hardik Pandya sits out with back spasm, Rohit Sharma returns to MI squad, Suryakumar Yadav leads in IPL 2026 match against LSG at Wankhede.

"It's just a game, put your chin up and play the game for the reason you play it. - Suryakumar Yadav"

Mumbai, May 4

With skipper Hardik Pandya sitting out because of back spasm, the Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to bowl first against Lucknow Super Giants in Match 47 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

India's T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav is leading the Mumbai Indians in the absence of Pandya and said they have made a couple of changes in the playing XI from the side that lost to CSK in Chennai on Saturday.

With Pandya out, the Mumbai Indians brought in Corbin Bosch in place of Trent Boult, while Rohit Sharma is back in the mix after an injury break and made it to the Impact Bench.

Lucknow Super Giants also made some changes in their Playing XI, handing a debut to Josh Inglis while Mukul Choudhary made way for Akshat Raghuwanshi.

Surya said the pitch looks good for bowling first.

"(Pitch) looks good. A little humid tonight. Hardik's not well tonight, so I'm going to step into his shoes. Corbin Bosch comes in for Trent Boult. And our very own Rohit Sharma is back," said SKY at the toss.

"MI is not known to be in such positions. At the end of the day, it's just a game, put your chin up and play the game for the reason you play it. Can't say it makes us dangerous, but we can put our best foot forward. Show character, enjoy the game," he added.

LSG captain Rishabh Pant said they will try to make the most of their week-long break and recover ground.

"The only promise from this break is to bring happiness back. Clearing your mindset when you're free. We have three changes: Josh Inglis goes in. Mukul goes out, and Raghuvanshi comes in. Bowling, we'll decide later."

Both MI and LSG come into this match struggling for form and with a series of defeats behind them -- MI have lost four out of their last five matches while LSG have suffered heartbreak in their last five games.

Playing XIs:

Lucknow Super Giants: Mitch Marsh, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (c, wk), Akshat Raghuvanshi, Himmat Singh, Mohammed Shami, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav

Impact substitutes: Siddharth M, Digvesh Rathi, Mayank Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmed, Abdul Samad

Mumbai Indians: Ryan Rickelton (wk), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Will Jacks, Raj Bawa, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar, Raghu Sharma

Impact substitutes: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Rawat, Robin Minz, Shardul Thakur, Trent Boult

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sneha F
Honestly, I'm feeling bad for Hardik. The pressure of captaining MI plus all that fan scrutiny must be taking a toll. Back spasm at his age? Stress related maybe? Rohit on the Impact Bench is an interesting move - could be a game-changer if MI needs some experience in the middle overs. Come on MI, show some spirit! 💪
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Raghav A
Both teams coming off horror runs - this is basically the battle of the bottom feeders 😅 But you know what, IPL at Wankhede always delivers. Surya's captaincy will be tested tonight. And for LSG, Rishabh Pant saying "bring happiness back" - bro, you need to lead from the front with the bat! Stop making all these philosophical statements and just play your natural game.
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Kavitha C
I have to say - MI's decision-making this season has been questionable at best. Dropping your most successful captain Rohit Sharma for most games, then suddenly bringing him back as an Impact Sub when the season is almost over? Feels like they're just throwing darts blindfolded. But Rohit bhai, please show them what they've been missing! One more vintage Rohit special at Wankhede please 🙏
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Rahul R
Corbin Bosch in for Trent Boult? Interesting choice. Boult has been expensive lately but Bosch is untested in these conditions. Also, no Bumrah in the playing XI? Wait, I see him there - okay good, Jasprit is there. That's your main weapon. If MI can restrict LSG to 170-180, Rohit coming in as Impact Sub in the chase could be match-winning. This is giving me 2019 vibes!

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