Hardik Pandya trains at full intensity in Kolkata. Is a return on cards?
KKR vs MI: Hardik Pandya trained at full intensity ahead of MI's IPL match against KKR on Wednesday. Returning from a back spasm, the skipper bowled at full tilt amid rumours, even as MI stands knocked out of the playoff race.
Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya trained at full intensity during his side's practice session on Monday, May 19. His active participation strongly indicates his return for the upcoming IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday.
Pandya missed Mumbai Indians' last three matches due to a back spasm. He looked relaxed as he arrived and was among the first players to get off the team bus. He immediately went through an extended bowling and batting session at the nets. The all-rounder bowled at full tilt and batted fluently, drawing considerable attention ahead of the KKR clash.
The star all-rounder last played in Mumbai's away match against Chennai Super Kings on May 2 before being sidelined. He first missed the home game against Lucknow Super Giants on May 4. He then sat out the clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur, despite travelling with the squad.
Pandya also did not travel to Dharamsala for Mumbai's six-wicket win over Punjab Kings. Jasprit Bumrah became the franchise's third captain this season for that game, after Suryakumar Yadav also missed out following the birth of his child. Suryakumar has since rejoined the squad and was also seen training on Monday.
Pandya's recent absence fuelled intense speculation about his future with the franchise. The rumours gained momentum after he was seen interacting with Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan. Other media reports have linked the all-rounder with a possible move to Delhi Capitals.
It has been a lean IPL season for Pandya so far. He has scored just 146 runs at a strike rate of around 136, while taking only four wickets at an expensive economy rate close to 12.
His struggles reflect Mumbai Indians' disastrous campaign. The five-time champions have managed only four wins from 12 matches. They have already crashed out of play-off contention alongside Lucknow Super Giants. Mumbai is currently placed in the bottom two of the points table with eight points and only two league games remaining.
In the KKR camp, India star spinner Varun Chakravarthy skipped the practice session along with Matheesha Pathirana. Chakravarthy famously played with a hairline fracture on his leg in their last match against Gujarat Titans.
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Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya trained at full intensity during his side's practice session on Monday, May 19. His active participation strongly indicates his return for the upcoming IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday.
Pandya missed Mumbai Indians' last three matches due to a back spasm. He looked relaxed as he arrived and was among the first players to get off the team bus. He immediately went through an extended bowling and batting session at the nets. The all-rounder bowled at full tilt and batted fluently, drawing considerable attention ahead of the KKR clash.
The star all-rounder last played in Mumbai's away match against Chennai Super Kings on May 2 before being sidelined. He first missed the home game against Lucknow Super Giants on May 4. He then sat out the clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur, despite travelling with the squad.
Pandya also did not travel to Dharamsala for Mumbai's six-wicket win over Punjab Kings. Jasprit Bumrah became the franchise's third captain this season for that game, after Suryakumar Yadav also missed out following the birth of his child. Suryakumar has since rejoined the squad and was also seen training on Monday.
Pandya's recent absence fuelled intense speculation about his future with the franchise. The rumours gained momentum after he was seen interacting with Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan. Other media reports have linked the all-rounder with a possible move to Delhi Capitals.
It has been a lean IPL season for Pandya so far. He has scored just 146 runs at a strike rate of around 136, while taking only four wickets at an expensive economy rate close to 12.
His struggles reflect Mumbai Indians' disastrous campaign. The five-time champions have managed only four wins from 12 matches. They have already crashed out of play-off contention alongside Lucknow Super Giants. Mumbai is currently placed in the bottom two of the points table with eight points and only two league games remaining.
In the KKR camp, India star spinner Varun Chakravarthy skipped the practice session along with Matheesha Pathirana. Chakravarthy famously played with a hairline fracture on his leg in their last match against Gujarat Titans.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
