No Hardik, Suryakumar for PBKS game; Bumrah may lead MI

Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav are unlikely to feature in the game against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala on Thursday night, which could mean Mumbai Indians may have a new player leading the side at the HPCA Stadium.

The development is no indication of Pandya being traded, as has been widely speculated. That is a matter for later.

Rohit Sharma remains part of the side, but it is unlikely he will be asked to take up the captaincy. Jasprit Bumrah and Tilak Varma are the leading candidates, though it is not yet clear who will be chosen.

It would not be a surprise if Bumrah — who has led India in the past before deciding against a full-time leadership role — is preferred. He has been with the franchise since 2013 and is considered the right person for the role.

Bumrah has played 156 games for Mumbai Indians but has never led the side. He captained India in two Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests in Australia in 2024-25 and in the Test against England in Birmingham in 2022.

Both Suryakumar and Hardik have been notably absent in Dharamsala over the last two days. Tickets had been booked for both players, but there is no immediate confirmation of either making the trip.

Suryakumar was recently blessed with a baby girl, and the franchise is sensitive towards family matters. It may have granted him time away from the squad. Mumbai Indians are out of playoff contention.

Pandya has been troubled by back spasms since the game against Chennai Super Kings in Chennai on May 2 and has missed the last two matches. He was recently seen training at Reliance Corporate Park, but the medical team has yet to give him full clearance.

Sources have ruled out any possibility of Pandya being traded. Reports of a trade have been dismissed, and Pandya is expected to continue with MI for the foreseeable future.

The teams cut short their practice session at HPCA stadium on Wednesday night due to inclement weather, but there is no likelihood of the match being disrupted on Thursday night.