The countdown to IPL 2026's next big clash is underway, and Mumbai Indians fans have a lot to keep an eye on. Captain Hardik Pandya is set to link up with the squad in Raipur on Thursday, ahead of their highly anticipated Sunday fixture against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The all-rounder didn't travel with the first batch of players on Wednesday, but he's expected to join the team later—a move that has sparked both excitement and cautious optimism among supporters.

Here's the full picture: Pandya was advised a precautionary rest for about a week after experiencing a back spasm during the match against the Chennai Super Kings. That setback forced him to miss the home fixture against the Lucknow Super Giants, and his participation in the Raipur game remains a game-time decision. The franchise is taking a measured approach, similar to how they handled Rohit Sharma's hamstring injury earlier this season, which kept him out for nearly a month. The good news? There's no need for panic. Even if Pandya sits out the RCB clash, the think tank is confident he'll be back wearing the captain's armband for the following matches.

Pandya wasn't the only notable absentee from Wednesday's travel group. Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Tilak Varma, Quinton de Kock, and several other foreign players also stayed behind. But don't read too much into that—travelling in batches was always the plan. The five-time champions enjoyed a long break between fixtures, and the strategy was to let players recharge their batteries before the next challenge. That said, there's some suspense around Suryakumar Yadav's availability for the RCB game, as the right-hander might miss it due to personal reasons. On a brighter note, Rohit Sharma did travel with the first batch on Wednesday and is pushing hard to regain full match fitness in time for this blockbuster fixture. Stay tuned—this one's shaping up to be a thriller.