Daijiworld Media Network - Guwahati

Guwahati, Apr 6: Mumbai Indians bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has confirmed that captain Hardik Pandya will be available for the team’s IPL 2026 match against Rajasthan Royals at the ACA Stadium on Tuesday.

Pandya had missed Mumbai’s previous game against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium due to illness, a match MI lost by six wickets. However, he returned to training in Guwahati on Sunday, participating actively in both batting and bowling sessions.

Mhambrey clarified that Pandya was not injured but unwell, and has now recovered fully after productive net sessions. His absence in the last match had forced the team to adjust its combination, bringing in Corbin Bosch and Deepak Chahar to balance the side.

He explained that Pandya’s role as an all-rounder is crucial, offering flexibility with both bat and ball, and that the previous changes were purely tactical to compensate for his absence.

The upcoming match will also mark Mumbai Indians’ first IPL appearance in Guwahati, with fans eagerly anticipating key contests—particularly how Rajasthan’s young batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel handle MI’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

Mhambrey highlighted Bumrah’s unique strength—his ability to disguise deliveries and outthink batters—making him unpredictable and difficult to read, which he described as the bowler’s biggest asset.