Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav have been fast-tracked into the team after the two stars missed the last few games this season. A massive update emerges on the availability of the two senior players in one of MI's final games this season.
The Mumbai Indians are at the bottom of the points table. They have managed to win just four matches out of their 12 matches in the season. This might not have been the desire for the Hardik Pandya-led side, but they will surely look to better their chances and not finish at the bottom of the points table.
Ever since 2022, the Mumbai Indians have had contrasting seasons, having made it to the playoffs twice in 2023 and 2025, while finishing at the bottom of the points table in 2022 and 2024. They would look to avoid a third bottom-most finish in the IPL.
Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav are all set to return for MI
Hardik Pandya, the seasoned campaigner for the Mumbai Indians, was brought back as the skipper of the side during IPL 2024. Having led them for three seasons, Hardik could just help them into the playoffs of the competition for just one season in 2025.
He missed the last three games for MI due to back spasms, and Suryakumar Yadav stepped in as the skipper of the Mumbai Indians. However, MI also missed Suryakumar Yadav in the last match, as Pandya was missing due to back spasms, and Suryakumar too was unavailable against the Punjab Kings owing to personal reasons.
As per the latest update from ESPNcricinfo, Hardik is likely to replace Raj Angad Bawa after he was ruled out of the remainder of the IPL. Surya is also likely to be available for the upcoming season.
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Will Matheesha Pathirana feature in the KKR vs MI clash?
Matheesha Pathirana, the seasoned Sri Lankan pacer, walked into the KKR playing XI in the previous clash against the Gujarat Titans. However, returning from a long injury, he could not manage his fitness well and struggled once again during the match.
Having played the match, he bowled just eight balls into the game, with a splendid start in the powerplay, where he carefully managed to resist the flow of runs after the Titans were off to a flying start in the powerplay.
His availability is subject to fitness, and he is being assessed by the KKR medical team. If he is unavailable, he is likely to make way for the pacer Blessing Muzarabani, who has not played for KKR since the second game of the season.
KKR's horrific record against MI in IPL history
The Kolkata Knight Riders have one of the worst matchups in the history of the IPL against the Mumbai Indians. Having met a total of 36 times in the history of the competition, the Mumbai Indians have defeated the Knight Riders a total of 25 times.
Considering their form in the last three matches, the Mumbai Indians have dominated in the IPL, while, on the other hand, they also chased a massive 221-run target in the first games of the series. KKR have a very poor record in the history of the IPL.
Anyway, a win against the Mumbai Indians would not help KKR advance into the playoffs, as even winning two matches would not see them through to the playoffs, as they need the results of other teams like the Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals to go in their favour.
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