Hardik Pandya will not be a part of Mumbai Indians’ clash against Delhi Capitals in the 8th match of IPL 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday, April 4. In his absence, Suryakumar Yadav will take command of the five-time champion team.
After losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, Suryakumar revealed that Hardik was unwell and hence unavailable for MI’s first game of the season.
Suryakumar said, “(Hardik) is not well. Just coming to his place today.”
Mumbai Indians also released a statement, which read: “Hardik Pandya is unwell and will not take the field today. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the team.”
In the absence of Hardik Pandya, Mumbai Indians included Deepak Chahar in the team. They also included fast bowling all-rounder Corbin Bosch in place of Trent Boult, while Mitchell Santner replaced AM Ghazanfar in the spin department. Santner could not play the last match against Kolkata Knight Riders due to not being included in the team.
Meanwhile, Capitals continued to hold on to their winning combination after registering a six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium on Wednesday.
Earlier, Mumbai Indians broke 13 years of bad luck by defeating Kolkata Knight Riders in their first home match of the season at the Wankhede Stadium. As far as Suryakumar is concerned, he recently led India to T20 World Cup glory and has also led MI in two matches IPL matches.
Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja (Image Credit: BCCI/IPL)
New Delhi: Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is ready to host an exciting match Shubman GillOn Saturday, there was a clash between Gujarat Titans and Riyan Parag-led Rajasthan Royals.Both teams have played one match each so far this season. While Rajasthan Royals started their campaign with a win, Gujarat Titans started with a defeat. Gill will be eager to get his team back on track, while Parag will want to maintain the winning streak.Gujarat Titans won the IPL title in their maiden season in 2022, while Rajasthan Royals won the inaugural edition in 2008, but have not had success since then.
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Players to watch:Shubman Gill (GT) The Gujarat Titans captain looked in good form in the opening game against Punjab Kings and scored 39 runs in 27 balls at a strike rate of 144.44. Gill will aim to convert his start against Rajasthan Royals into a big innings. With Sai Sudarshan at the helm, all eyes will be on Gill to lead from the front in front of the home crowd.Vaibhav Suryavanshi (RR) The young sensation has quickly become people’s favourite. Suryavanshi, known for his explosive strokeplay, played a explosive innings against Chennai Super Kings in the last game. He already holds the record for the fastest IPL century by an Indian and interestingly, he scored it against Gujarat Titans. When he takes the field on Saturday, expectations will increase once again.Prasidh Krishna (GT) Despite Gujarat Titans’ defeat in their opening match, Prasidh Krishna impressed with the ball, taking three important wickets. He dismissed Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis to take Punjab Kings from 110/2 to 118/6. GT will be hoping for another impressive performance from the senior fast bowler.Jofra Archer(RR) The England fast bowler remains a major weapon for Rajasthan Royals, especially in the powerplay. Archer performed brilliantly against Chennai Super Kings and returned figures of 2/19 in four overs, which also included the early wicket of Ruturaj Gaikwad. His opening spell could once again be important.Ravindra Jadeja (RR) Experience will be important and Ravindra Jadeja brings a wealth of experience to the table. A complete all-rounder, Jadeja can make an impact in all three departments of the game. In the last match, he maintained control and took important wickets. His ability to step forward at crucial moments makes him a player to watch.
Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer has been fined Rs 24 lakh after being found guilty of maintaining a slow over-rate during the IPL 2026 clash against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. This was PBKS’s second offense of the season under the IPL code of conduct.
The penalty under Article 2.22 did not stop at the captain. The rest of the playing XI, including impact player Priyansh Arya, were also fined Rs 6 lakh or 25 per cent of their match fees, whichever is less, making it a costly walk off the field despite a dominant win.
Despite off-field failure, PBKS performed brilliantly on the field. Chasing the target of 210 runs easily against CSK. It was a result that highlighted both their batting depth and aggressive approach, even as the decision on a slow over rate slightly dampened the results on an otherwise effective night.
Will Shreyas Iyer be banned?
Despite this being Punjab’s second slow over rate offense of the season, Iyer will not face suspension if the team commits another violation in the upcoming matches. This is mainly due to a major rule change introduced by IPL Before the 2025 season.
The tournament has previously removed the provision of a one-match ban for captains after three over-rate offenses in a season. Instead, penalties are now limited to fines and on-field sanctions, reducing the immediate risk of suspension for repeat offences.
However, a comprehensive system is now in place. IPL has aligned its code of conduct with the ICC by adding demerit points. Any sanction imposed by the match referee adds points to the player’s or official’s record, which remain valid for 36 months. The accumulation of these points over time can result in suspension, making discipline a long-term concern rather than an immediate one.
How PBKS beat CSK at home
While PBKS’s bowling needs some lessons moving forward, their batting leaves nothing to complain about. The fearless approach from the start made chasing 210 easier than it should have been.
Priyansh Arya set the tone with a blistering 39 off just 11 balls, putting CSK under pressure immediately and ensuring the required rate never got out of control.
From there, Iyer took command of the proceedings and carried the innings forward with a composed half-century. His knocks, coupled with the aggressive intent shown throughout the lineup, meant that PBKS were always ahead in the game.
CSK bowlers struggled to respond despite early help from the surface. The inability to contain runs or create pressure allowed PBKS to reach the target in just 18.4 overs, adding to CSK’s worries on home soil and underscoring Punjab’s surging batting firepower.
India’s Hardik Pandya (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
New Delhi: : hardik pandya Did not appear in either of the two afternoon practice sessions Mumbai Indians Ahead of Saturday’s match against Delhi Capitals. Obviously, the Mumbai Indians captain does not want to put pressure on his injury-plagued body during the grueling two-month IPL schedule. HeartfeltHowever, she is fighting another battle as she plans a campaign for the five-time champion. times of India He understands that he has been working overtime for the last four months to reassure the Indian team management and selectors that he is ready to bowl his full quota of 10 overs in ODI matches apart from the IPL. After the IPL, India’s preparations for the ODI World Cup in October-November 2027 will be in full swing. The Indian Cricket Board announced the squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand on January 3 (bcci) Secretary Devjit Saikia mentioned that Hardik was not cleared by the BCCI Center of Excellence (COE) to bowl 10 overs in a match. The BCCI release also claimed that Hardik is being protected for the next T20 World Cup. Interestingly, five days later, Hardik bowled 10 overs for figures of 3/66 in a Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Chandigarh. times of India It is learned that Hardik had reached out to the selectors and the Indian team management in January itself. The team management has told him that they would prioritize his availability to bowl 10 overs ahead of the World Cup in South Africa next year. It should be noted that Hardik suffered a quadriceps injury ahead of the Asia Cup final in September and made his return to T20I cricket on December 9 in the series against South Africa. Sources told TOI that Hardik had expressed his desire to play in both white-ball formats, but the BCCI took a conservative stance keeping the T20 World Cup in mind. “Hardik is expected to play a big role in the ODI setup as the World Cup will be played on fast and bouncy pitches in South Africa. That can lend the right balance. But he will have to convince the selectors and the team management that he will be available to bowl 10 overs. It may be that he may not need to do this in every match. In most of the matches the captain can make him bowl 6-7 overs. But if the captain needs more from him then he should be available,” a BCCI source told TOI. “The selectors are also considering other seam-bowling options. Nitish Kumar Reddy has increased his bowling workload in domestic cricket as well,” the source said. Hardik is working hard in COE and beyond. He travels between Mumbai and Baroda to train with his dedicated team. The source claimed, “Hardik is increasing his workload. He has also worked on his action to bowl in-swingers without compromising on pace. That is why he has been handed the responsibility of bowling the new ball in T20s. He feels his body is ready to face the rigors of bowling 10 overs in ODIs. He understands his body well and is working towards staying fit to bowl 10 overs.” Are.”
Mumbai Indians entered IPL 2026 after exorcising a ghost that had been troubling them for thirteen years. They had not tasted victory in the season opener since 2012, but last Sunday Clinical chase of 221 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders Did more than just break a jinx; This served as a dire warning to the rest of the league. With a batting unit that feels like a relentless attack and a bowling line-up capable of inspiring envy, the five-time champions arrive in the capital with a formidable full outfit.
Yet, standing in their way this Saturday are the Delhi Capitals, a team whose promise on paper is finally beginning to translate into on-field intent. Under heavy, potentially rain-laden skies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, the first double-header of the season promises to be a high-octane clash on a surface tailor-made for stroke-makers.
Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians will start at 3:30 PM IST, which will be the first double-header match of the day. IPL 2026. JioHotstar will provide live streaming of the match, while Star Sports will provide television coverage on Saturday, April 4.
head to head
Historically, this consistency has been tilted towards Mumbai. In 37 matches, the five-time champions have dominated with 21 wins compared to Delhi’s 16. However, the story changes on the banks of Yamuna. At the Arun Jaitley Stadium, the Capitals have a slight edge, having won seven of the 13 matches played at the venue.
However, in their previous meeting here, Karun Nair’s brilliant 89 went in vain as Mumbai defended 205 to win by 12 runs – a result that started a six-match winning streak that eventually took them to the playoffs.
Big boost for MI
Mitchell Santner is likely to replace Allah Ghazanfar in MI’s eleven (PTI photo)
The biggest news of the team has come out from Mumbai camp. After young Afghan Allah Ghazanfar endured a baptism of fire – conceding 51 runs on a wicketless debut, the visitors have come New Zealand’s T20I captain boosted by arrivalMitchell Santner. In Friday’s net session, Santner looked impressively sharp, delivering a crisp strike to the ball that showed he was ready to provide Mumbai with the balance that was lacking in their opener.
Mumbai’s new ball trio of Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult remains the most intimidating threat in the league. Their combined pedigree is likely to keep Deepak Chahar on the sidelines, with Shardul Thakur being preferred for his ability to break partnerships in the middle overs.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s top order is facing a tough test. especially after their fall in LucknowWhere they slipped to 26/4 chasing 142, before Samir Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs staged a comeback.
Despite that ups and downs, management seems intent on supporting its core. KL Rahul cut an assured figure in Friday’s training session, getting his timing back as he destroyed the bowlers in the nets with trademark elegance. Having been out for a duck on the first ball of Mohammed Shami in Lucknow, Rahul will be keen to compose himself early and impose.
Next to him Pathum Nissanka looked equally calm; Given the favorable dimensions of the Kotla and the true nature of the surface, the Sri Lankan is all set to take advantage of the conditions and post a significant score, provided he negotiates the early bursts from Mumbai’s world-class pace attack.
Tactical Chess: DC vs MI
Will Rohit Sharma be able to overcome the challenge of Akshar Patel? (PTI photo)
The powerplay offers a compelling sub-plot. Rohit Sharma, who scored a match-winning half-century, was in control on Friday and preferred timing over force. Yet he faces a familiar challenge in the form of Akshar Patel. The Delhi captain has dismissed Rohit thrice in this format and is expected to bowl in the powerplay again.
However, if Delhi gives even a little leeway to Rohit and Ryan Rickelton in the powerplay, the consequences could be dire. In their opening match against KKR, the pair brought down the target of 221 runs with a brilliant partnership of 148 runs. With Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Verma waiting in the reserves, any failure to attack early could see the game escalate at an alarming pace.
The absence of Mitchell Starc, who is still sidelined due to shoulder and elbow concerns, leaves a significant void in Delhi’s powerplay plans. Without the left-hander’s ability to turn the ball towards the right-handed batsmen, Mukesh Kumar and Lungi Ngidi will have to take up the responsibility.
Ngidi will bring confidence into this contest, boosted by his brilliant dipping dismissal of Nicholas Pooran on a slower ball in Lucknow. However, Delhi’s trump card remains their spin trio. Fresh from a match-winning spell, Kuldeep Yadav spoke with the calm assurance of a bowler at the peak of his craft. In a format where the dominance of the bat is increasing, Kuldeep remains the champion attacking wrist-spin.
“It is very important for spinners to stick to their strengths,” Kuldeep said.
“When batsmen put you under pressure, you lose your strength. You look for safe options to get out of that situation. But I believe it is important to focus on your strengths.
“Also, you need to understand what the batsmen’s strengths are… If you are an aggressive spinner, don’t try to change it. That’s your identity.”
Team News: Expect minimal interference
There is likely to be a change in Mumbai, with Santner replacing Ghazanfar.
Meanwhile, Delhi are expected to retain their winning XI, although a tactical change remains a possibility with Sameer Rizvi and Ashutosh Sharma as impact players depending on the match situation.
Arun Jaitley Stadium is developing as a batting paradise. With a surface rewarding short boundaries and clear time, a high-scoring contest appears to be the most likely script for this afternoon’s match.
Weather Watch: The forecast indicates a humid afternoon with temperatures around 33°C. However, there is a 30 per cent chance of rain, which could bring moisture to the pitch early, perhaps prompting the captain who wins the toss to bowl first and take advantage of any assistance under the clouds.
New Delhi: Punjab Kings registered a spectacular win by five wickets Chennai Super Kings In their IPL 2026 encounter at Chepauk, they chased a massive target of 210 runs with confidence. Despite CSK posting a strong score, PBKS handled the pressure better and secured their second consecutive win of the season.After being invited to bat, CSK built their innings around a solid partnership between Ayush Mhatre and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Both of them gave a strong platform to the team by adding 96 runs for the second wicket.
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Mhatre performed brilliantly and scored 73 runs in 43 balls with the help of fours and sixes.In the latter stages, Sarfaraz Khan played a quick innings and scored 32 runs in just 12 balls, while Shivam Dubey remained unbeaten on 45 and finished the innings strongly. His efforts took CSK to a competitive total of 209/5 in 20 overs, which looked challenging on the surface.In reply, PBKS attacked and maintained a steady run rate throughout the chase. Young opener Priyansh Arya provided a bright start, while others contributed to keep the scoreboard running. captain Shreyas Iyer Played an important role in taking the innings forward by scoring 50 runs in 29 balls.Even when wickets fell at intervals, PBKS did not panic and continued to play positive cricket. Contributions from the middle order ensured the target remained on target and they eventually reached 210/5 in 18.4 overs.While CSK impressed with the bat, their bowlers struggled to contain runs. PBKS, on the other hand, chased their target smartly and came out on top.
Chennai Super Kings’ first home match had a big impact on the mood at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. What started with a thunderous applause for captain Ruturaj Gaikwad at the toss turned into complete silence after the CSK skipper once again played a wobbly innings in the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League.
Batting with Sanju Samson and then young Ayush Mhatre, Gaikwad never really got going and played a poor innings of 28 off 22, completely dismantling Chennai’s top order.
But it wasn’t entirely his fault. CSK, who came to bat first on a pitch that looked quite flat, faced setbacks in the very beginning. In the second over, Sanju Samson sent the ball back to the keeper while trying to drive Xavier Bartlett. It seemed as if Gaikwad had been pushed into his shell, from which he never really came out.
After hitting only two fours in his 22-ball innings, Gaikwad’s innings ended in the 12th over with what was probably one of the most harmless balls of the innings, wide of the leg side.
The batsman’s form was such that he chased the ball and swept it, but found Nehal Wadhera, the only fielder posted on the boundary.
Cricket fans on Twitter were also not happy with Gaikwad’s innings and criticized the batsman for his second failure of the season.
Chennai Super Kings were saved on Friday by a brilliant innings from Ayush Mhatre, who scored 73 runs off just 43 balls before being dismissed by Yuzvendra Chahal. Apart from young Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan played a brilliant inning of 32 runs in 12 balls to give the home team a late lead.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yuvraj Singh (Photo by PTI)
New Delhi: India’s young batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi is already making headlines in the cricket world. Ahead of IPL 2026 season, Rajasthan Royals star considers Brian Lara as his idol Yuvraj SinghThe goal is to make an impact. Shine and break records in ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 IPL Only 14 years old last season, he, now 15, is considered a talented individual with immense potential.
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When Yuvraj was asked if Vaibhav could play for India soon, Yuvraj, while speaking on the Sports Tak podcast, said, “IPL cricket has changed everything… As far as Vaibhav is concerned, I think 90% of people already know that he will play for India. The question is not if, but when… But overall, I believe he will play for India. It’s just a matter of when.” He also highlighted the importance of staying grounded: “100%. I think he’s an amazing talent. But it’s very important to keep your head on your shoulders, it means a lot.”Yuvraj Singh is impressed by his game, saying, “The most remarkable thing about Vaibhav is his bat speed. He has incredibly fast bat speed – to be honest, even I didn’t have that kind of speed. I have seen very few players with such fast hands… What stood out for me was the way he hit sixes on the off-side, even against good balls, which showed real quality.” Yuvraj also said that Vaibhav’s strengths are all around the field, not limited to one area and with more experience, he will only improve.“When I was selected, my only goal was to give good starts to the team. I wanted to play my game in the powerplay, and if I get a good start, I wanted to continue playing for a long time without losing my wicket. I knew that if I played my shots, the scenario of the game would change,” Suryavanshi told JioStar recently.With his record-breaking start and fearlessness, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is expected to shine at the international level soon.
Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh has called on the Indian team management to provide clarity to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli about their roles ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup and stressed that players of their stature deserve transparent communication. He stressed that uncertainty is inappropriate at this stage of his career and it is necessary for India to have a clear plan as they move towards the next global event.
Both Rohit and Kohli have opted out of Tests and T20Is to focus on their roles in ODIs Be at the center of India’s roadmap, But also part of the broader transition conversation. Speaking to India Today’s sister channel, Sports Tak, Yuvraj highlighted the need for honest talks between head coach Gautam Gambhir, the India selectors and the two legends.
Yuvraj said, “I don’t know what is going on in his mind. He seems committed to playing the World Cup, but I think it is his decision and the selectors who have to decide the future. My point is that he is such a great player, there should be clarity in this.”
“You have to be able to sit in a room and discuss things openly. It’s difficult, especially at that stage of your career. You may not like to hear that the team is looking ahead, but after a year you will appreciate that at least someone told the truth to your face. That doesn’t really happen in Indian cricket,” he said.
Meanwhile, both Rohit and Kohli have shown that they remain integral parts of India’s ODI setup. Kohli has enjoyed a resurgence since the end of 2025, A return to the top of the ICC rankings with a more aggressive approach, including a brilliant series against South Africa, where he scored 302 runs in three matches at an average of 151 and a strike rate of over 117.
Rohit, on the other hand, scored 202 runs at an average of 101 in three matches in Australia, including a match-winning century in Sydney that sealed the series and helped him regain the No. 1 ODI ranking spot at 38, just . However, his form declined in the next home series against New Zealand, where he managed only 61 runs at an average of 20.33.
Why should India not pay attention to the Ro-Ko dilemma?
Yuvraj stressed that while the Rohit-Kohli debate will continue to make headlines, India’s focus should be on creating a clear and structured roadmap for the 2027 World Cup. For them, the bigger concern is not who plays, but how decisively the management communicates its vision to both the senior players and the next generation.
Yuvraj said, “I don’t want any player who has represented the country for so many years to be stuck in a situation where someone doesn’t sit down and tell them clearly what the plan is. Either commit them to the World Cup and support them fully, or tell them that the team is considering young players. Someone has to say that. Tell them the reality. I think that should happen after this IPL.”
With emerging players like Yashasvi Jaiswal waiting in the wings but struggling for opportunities due to a settled top order, India face the challenge of striking a balance between continuity and change, making clarity all the more important in the coming months.
Will Rohit, Kohli play 2027 World Cup?
For Yuvraj, the answer is not a simple yes or no, but depends on how India wants to shape its team. He stressed that it is important to plan for the future, but the value of experience in a high-pressure tournament like the World Cup cannot be underestimated.
“You need experience in the team, you can’t just go with young players. You need someone like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the team for the World Cup. But the thing is, whatever you are thinking, you have to be clear about them. Don’t leave them in the dark, that’s not good, not even for them,” he said.
Yuvraj said, “Rohit Sharma has probably been the best white-ball opener and a World Cup-winning captain in T20 and Champions Trophy, so give him that respect. Virat Kohli is one of the greatest players of our generation for India, so he deserves that respect too.”
As India look towards 2027, the figures show that Rohit and Kohli still have a long way to go, but the big thing is not just about form, it is about direction.
Young batsman Ayush Mhatre has revealed about a memorable meeting with his idol Rohit SharmaDescribed it as a “dream day” that left a lasting impression on him.Mhatre’s admiration for Rohit is well known. Earlier, he had also written an emotional note after losing his place to the former Indian captain in the Ranji Trophy match. Ahead of the England tour last year, the youngster finally got a chance to meet his idol – a meeting which turned into a memorable experience.
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But I am saying Chennai Super Kings‘ YouTube channel, Mhatre revealed how a simple message led to a personal conversation with Rohit. This opportunity came after Rohit had earlier told him that he could contact whenever he needed guidance IPL presence against Mumbai Indians.Before departing for England, Mhatre decided to accept the offer and sent a message to Rohit requesting a meeting.“So I was about to go on the England tour, and I wanted to talk to him about something. I messaged him. Then I said I wanted to meet him, so he called me straight away. He called me on his behalf and said, tell me what you want to say. I told him I am going on this tour and wanted to meet. He asked me, where do you live? I said Virar. He said, will you come to meet me from Virar? I said yes, I would like to meet you. I can come anywhere, just to meet you,” Mhatre said.Despite Rohit’s suggestion that they could only talk over video call, Mhatre was determined to meet him in person. The next day, he went to Rohit’s residence, where the two spent about two hours in conversation.“He said no, we can also talk on video. I said no, I want to meet you in person and talk. Then he gave me his home address and I went to his house the next day. I talked to him for at least 2 hours. I mean, it was crazy that he gave me so much time, it’s a big deal to me.” My idol gave me time, so it was a dream for me, a dream day. I didn’t realize how the time passed, 2 hours passed. It was great talking to him,” he added.Since then, Mhatre has enjoyed success and led India to the Under-19 World Cup title earlier this year. However, he had a disappointing start to his IPL 2026 campaign as he was out for a golden duck Rajasthan Royals.
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Meanwhile, Rohit made a brilliant start to the season by scoring a blistering 78 runs in 38 balls to help Mumbai Indians chase down the high-scoring target of 221 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders.However, for Mhatre, meeting his idol remains a defining personal milestone – one that continues to inspire his journey in the sport.
