- By Namrata Vijay
- Tue, 05 May 2026 04:05 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
MI vs LSG IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians gained a major boost with a pivotal win against Lucknow Super Giants, but questions remain about captain Hardik Pandya, who missed the match due to a back spasm. Star opener Ryan Rickleton provided a clear update, stressed the seriousness of the issue, and voiced confidence in Pandya's quick return.
During the post-match conference, Rickleton clarified he'd only recently learned of the situation. "I'll return. I was told today he had back spasms, and I don't know how serious it is. I don't want to call it an injury; I don't know how he's feeling. But I'm confident he'll rejoin us as we go to Raipur this week."
In Pandya's absence, Suryakumar Yadav stepped in as captain, demonstrating adaptability and providing stable leadership. His ability to manage the toss and assume Pandya's responsibilities contributed to the team's performance.
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The Mumbai franchise released a statement: "Hardik Pandya is unwell with a back spasm so that Suryakumar Yadav will captain today's game." This followed Pandya's ongoing struggles as both captain and all-rounder this season.
The Suryakumar Yadav-led squad delivered an outstanding performance. Chasing a daunting target of 229, Rickleton led the batting with a commanding 83 off 32 balls, and Rohit Sharma added a superb 84, guiding the team to victory in 18.4 overs. Their playoff hopes remain alive.
The Rishabh Pant-led team set a formidable target of 228 runs, fueled by resilient knocks from Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran. However, MI's explosive batting lineup chased down the total convincingly.
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While this win boosts morale, focus now shifts to Pandya's fitness. As the team heads to Raipur, Rickleton's update offers optimism, but uncertainty persists.