Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians faced off in a high-stakes IPL 2026 clash at Raipur on Sunday. While RCB looked to strengthen their playoff position, Mumbai entered the contest fighting to keep their campaign alive. However, Hardik Pandya’s continued absence due to injury became the biggest talking point ahead of the game.
Hardik Pandya’s absence raises concerns
The toss at Raipur’s newly introduced venue went in favour of RCB captain Rajat Patidar, who chose to bowl first after assessing the conditions. Patidar felt the surface looked firm and suitable for chasing under lights. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians suffered another setback as Hardik Pandya missed his second straight match because of back pain. In his absence, Suryakumar Yadav once again stepped in as captain. Hardik’s injury has now become a major concern for the five-time champions, especially at a crucial stage of the tournament.
Also Read | East Bengal coach Oscar Bruzon slams ex-players, calls them ‘cancer’ and ‘brokers’ ahead of Punjab FC clash
At the toss, Suryakumar clarified that Hardik had not received clearance from the medical team and therefore could not play. However, fans on social media remained unconvinced, particularly after seeing Hardik practice with the squad before the match.
Mumbai fighting to stay alive
Mumbai Indians currently remain in a difficult situation in the points table. With only a few league matches left, every game has become a virtual knockout encounter for them. A defeat against Virat Kohli’s RCB would severely dent their playoff hopes, while even a win may not fully guarantee safety. Because of the team’s delicate position, many netizens believe Mumbai management does not want to risk Hardik aggravating his injury further. The franchise appears focused on managing the all-rounder carefully during the final stretch of the season.
Also Read | Jamie Overton and Urvil Patel script Chennai’s first 200-plus chase since 2019 to keep playoff hopes alive
Despite the pressure, Suryakumar remained optimistic after losing the toss. He stated that Mumbai were happy to bat first and believed a strong total on Raipur’s large boundaries and black-soil wicket could put RCB under pressure. He also admitted that bowlers have struggled throughout the season but hoped the nature of the pitch would provide some assistance.
Patidar focused on present challenge
On the other hand, Rajat Patidar stressed that RCB were concentrating only on the current contest rather than past performances. Explaining his decision to bowl first, he said the conditions looked familiar and favourable for chasing.
Patidar also added that Bengaluru wanted to rely on their strengths and execute their plans properly in what could prove to be a decisive encounter in the playoff race.
