Corbin Bosch has opened up on the atmosphere inside the Mumbai Indians camp amid growing concerns over captain Hardik Pandya and his ongoing back injury during IPL 2026. The all-rounder admitted that MI have missed Hardik’s presence on the field but expressed full confidence in the franchise’s medical staff as the skipper continues his recovery.

Hardik has missed Mumbai Indians’ last two matches due to back spasms, with the five-time IPL champions enduring a disappointing campaign that has already ended their playoff hopes. Ahead of MI’s clash against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala, Bosch spoke about the impact of Hardik’s absence and the challenges the team has faced throughout the season.

“It’s obviously been tough. Hardik is not only a leader but also a fantastic cricketer. We’ve definitely missed his presence on the field,” Corbin Bosch said during the pre-match press conference.

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The South African all-rounder also backed the MI support staff, insisting the franchise is carefully managing Hardik’s recovery process before making any decision on his return. “I’m sure the people handling his recovery are trying to do what’s best for both Hardik and the team,” he added. 

Bosch further explained that the Mumbai Indians’ struggles in IPL 2026 have largely come down to inconsistency. According to him, the team has repeatedly failed to deliver complete performances across both departments.

“One day the bowlers perform well and the batters struggle, and on another day it’s the opposite. We just haven’t managed to put together a complete game this season,” Corbin Bosch admitted.

Interestingly, Hardik reportedly underwent an intense three-hour training session before the Punjab Kings fixture. However, he was still not cleared to travel with the squad to Dharamsala, meaning Suryakumar Yadav is expected to continue leading the side.

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With Mumbai Indians already eliminated from the IPL 2026 playoff race, the focus has now shifted toward finishing the season strongly and building momentum for the next campaign. MI will hope senior players can still produce impactful performances in the remaining league matches despite a frustrating season overall.