Hardik Pandya set to miss PBKS vs MI clash despite three-hour-long training session

Hardik Pandya has missed the last two matches for the Mumbai Indians (MI) due to back spasms. During this period, Suryakumar Yadav took charge as the stand-in captain, and the five-time champions defeated the Lucknow Super Giants before losing to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and getting eliminated.

On Thursday, May 14, the Mumbai Indians are all set to face the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. With no chance of reaching the playoffs, MI do have the opportunity to spoil Punjab's party. Shreyas Iyer and Co. have played 11 matches so far, winning six and losing four. One of their matches ended without a result.

Hardik, however, is expected to watch this game from the sidelines. The star all-rounder trained at the Reliance Corporate Park for more than three hours on Tuesday, May 12. MI continue to maintain that Hardik is recovering from his injury. However, the 32-year-old posted a couple of videos on social media about his gruelling training session, and it has raised eyebrows.

Times of India reported that everything isn't hunky-dory in the MI dressing room. Hardik's absence does raise a few relevant questions.

MI faced Bengaluru in their last game on Sunday, and the Choryasi-born was present with the squad. However, neither he nor Suryakumar travelled with the team to Dharamsala on Tuesday. Both of them reportedly left for Mumbai shortly after the match. Suryakumar was recently blessed with a baby girl on May 7. The franchise is hoping to have the Indian T20 captain back with the squad ahead of the game against PBKS. If Hardik doesn't play, the 35-year-old will continue at the helm.

Mumbai Indians are going through a forgettable season. They have only won three matches and lost eight after playing 11. The Mumbai-based franchise is positioned at No. 9 on the points table. Their last three matches are against the Punjab Kings, the Kolkata Knight Riders, and the Rajasthan Royals.