IPL 2026: Why is Hardik Pandya not playing in RCB vs MI Match 54?

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are taking on the Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 54 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur.

The defending champions play the first of their final two home games in Raipur. They are coming off a loss to the Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium, failing to chase down an adjusted total of 213 in a 19-over game curtailed due to rain. 

The Mumbai Indians come to this clash with their playoff hopes all but done. They beat the Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium in a thrilling chase of 229, where they motored along courtesy runs at the top from the returning Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton. 

RCB vs MI: Toss Update

RCB skipper Rajat Patidar won the toss and chose to bowl first on a hard surface with long boundaries. Suryakumar Yadav, once again standing in for Hardik Pandya as MI skipper, stated that he was happy to bat first on a ground with big boundaries.

RCB vs MI: Why is Hardik Pandya not playing Match 54?

Hardik Pandya missed the fixture as well despite joining the squad in Raipur. He missed the previous game against the Lucknow Super Giants due to a back spasm.

Suryakumar Yadav had also left the Mumbai Indians squad after the Lucknow match as his wife was due to give birth to their first child. But he rejoined the squad to lead the five-time champions, as he did against the Super Giants in Hardik’s absence.

Both teams are unchanged from their previous game.

RCB vs MI: What did the captains say?

Rajat Patidar (RCB)

 “We will bowl first. The surface looks good and pretty hard, so we’ll try to get early wickets and then go for the chase. The conditions are not unfamiliar to us, to be honest. But yes, it’s a new stadium, there are good supporters, and it’s a great atmosphere. I think everyone is looking forward to playing here. We are going with the same team. We’ve had a couple of losses, but it’s important to stay in the present and play to our strengths. We’ll focus more on ourselves rather than thinking too much about the opposition. I don’t think there’s just one or two specific areas. But if we do well in the Powerplay, whether batting or bowling, and play to our potential there, then we can perform at our best.”

Suryakumar Yadav (MI)

“No, we are pretty confident. Big ground, black spoil wicket. Runs on the board and then pressure on the other team. Not really, we are going with the same team. Big game, super Sunday. I think we always had a good chat around that. I think this IPL has been a little harsh on the bowlers. It is what T20 cricket is.”

Playing 11s

Mumbai Indians

Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Tilak Varma, Will Jacks, Raj Angad Bawa, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar

Impact Players: Raghu Sharma, Mayank Rawat, Robin Minz, Shardul Thakur, Trent Boult

Royal Challengers Bengaluru