Hardik Pandya Misses Game Against Delhi Capitals: On-Field Relation With Girlfriend Mahika Affecting His Selection?

DC vs MI: Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel won the toss and chose to bowl first against Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2026 clash on Saturday.

The five-time champions were without regular captain Hardik Pandya, who was unavailable, leading to Suryakumar Yadav stepping in as stand-in skipper.

In Pandya's absence, the Mumbai Indians reshuffled their lineup, bringing in Deepak Chahar, while also including Corbin Bosch and Mitchell Santner. The trio replaced Trent Boult and Allah Ghazanfar in the playing XI.

"He's not well, doesn't look good, so he was not fit for today's game. So just getting into his shoes today," said Suryakumar, speaking on Hardik's condition during the toss.

What Does Social Media Think About Hardik Pandya's Absence?

While the Mumbai Indians captain cited a fitness issue as the reason behind his absence from today's game against DC, fans on social media have a different take on the same. Word has spread rapidly online that Hardik Pandya missed today's match because of his girlfriend, Mahika Sharma.

According to fans, Mahika Sharma arrived late at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, which is why Hardik decided not to take the field. Social media is flooded with memes and reactions, but it's important to note that these are purely speculative claims circulating online, with no official confirmation or factual backing.

The absence of a proven match-winner like Hardik leaves a significant void for the Mumbai Indians. While concerns around his fitness continue to grow, the surge of viral speculation has only added to the uncertainty. Whether he returns fully fit for the next game or the mystery surrounding his situation intensifies remains to be seen.

Disclaimer: Part of the information provided in this article is based on social media claims. We do not confirm these claims. The official reason given for Hardik Pandya's absence is his fitness.