Why is Hardik Pandya not playing MI-LSG match at Wankhede? Suryakumar Yadav explains: 'Just going into his shoes'

Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to field against fellow strugglers Lucknow Super Giants in their Indian Premier League clash at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on Monday. However, it was Suryakumar Yadav, and not MI captain Hardik Pandya making the decision, with the Indian T20I captain walking out for the toss alongside Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant.

It was the second time Surya had filled in as captain in Pandya's absence this season, having previously done so in their second game of the season against Delhi Capitals in Delhi. Speaking to former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta at the toss, 'SKY' revealed the reason behind Pandya's absence at Wankhede on Monday.

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"He's not well tonight, so just going into his shoes. But yeah, the rest, everything is fine," Surya said at the toss, before announcing Rohit Sharma's return to the side after three weeks, much to the delight of the Wankhede crowd.

An official update from the franchise later confirmed that the senior all-rounder had suffered a back spasm, which forced him to miss Monday's home game.

"Hardik Pandya is unwell with back spasm, hence Suryakumar Yadav is captain for today’s game," read a statement from Mumbai Indians.

'Mumbai Indians is not known to be in such positions'

Both MI and LSG find themselves at the bottom of the 10-team table at ninth and 10th respectively, with the latter having a game in hand. And while both teams are practically out of the playoffs race by now, five-time champions Mumbai Indians will be officially knocked out if they lose Monday's showdown at the Wankhede Stadium.

"You can't run away from the fact, to be very honest, Mumbai Indians is not known to be in such positions. But at the end of the day, it's just a game, part of the game, you have to put your chin up, play the game for why you love it, and put your hands up. Have that pride and enjoy the game," Surya continued during the toss interview.

Surya, who had led India to victory at the T20 World Cup earlier this year, refused to label his team as "dangerous" with little to lose but urged his teammates to put their "best foot forward".

"Can't say it can make us dangerous, but definitely we can try and put our best foot forward. We have five games left. Try and win as many as possible. Show character, enjoy the game, and give some shows to the crowd," Surya added.

MI vs LSG, IPL 2026 Playing XIs

MI: Ryan Rickelton(wk), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Will Jacks, Raj Bawa, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar, Raghu Sharma.

LSG: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant(wk/c), Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Himmat Singh, Mohammed Shami, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav