New Delhi: The biggest question ahead of Tuesday’s IPL clash isn’t just who will win, it’s whether Hardik Pandya will return to the Mumbai Indians playing XI.

As Mumbai Indians prepare to face Rajasthan Royals in Match 13 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at ACA Stadium, Pandya’s availability could be the biggest factor shaping the contest.

Will Hardik Pandya play? Here’s the latest

Pandya missed Mumbai’s previous match due to illness, forcing Suryakumar Yadav to step in as captain. His absence was clearly felt as Mumbai struggled to find rhythm.

Now, all eyes are on his potential return. If Pandya is fit, he is likely to walk straight back into the playing XI, giving Mumbai a much-needed balance with both bat and ball.

However, his comeback could lead to tactical reshuffles:

If Mumbai bats first, Suryakumar may initially sit out and be used as an Impact Player later

If they bowl first, one of the pacers like Jasprit Bumrah or Trent Boult could be rotated to strengthen batting

With big names like Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Ryan Rickelton already in the lineup, Pandya’s return could be the boost Mumbai needs to get their campaign back on track.

Rajasthan Royals eye hat-trick of wins

On the other side, Rajasthan Royals come into this match with strong momentum, having won both their games so far.

Young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been a standout performer. The 15-year-old has grabbed attention with his fearless batting, and his face-off against Bumrah could be one of the most exciting moments of the match.

Alongside him, players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Shimron Hetmyer add depth and firepower to Rajasthan’s lineup.

Match Details

Match: Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals

Time: 7:30 PM, Tuesday

Venue: ACA Stadium, Guwahati.