Bumrah to lead MI against PBKS in absence of Hardik, Suryakumar

It's now official - Jasprit Bumrah will lead Mumbai Indians against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala on Thursday. Thirteen years after first turning out for the franchise, Bumrah - widely regarded as one of the finest bowlers in the world - will captain the five-time champions at the picturesque HPCA stadium. Bumrah has so far played 156 games for MI.

"A kid with a unique action bowled yorkers at will. That same kid, now a legend of the game, will lead Blue and Gold in Dharamsala," said Mumbai Indians in a statement confirming Bumrah's appointment as skipper.

The elevation of Bumrah to the captaincy was necessitated by the absence of Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav, the captain and stand-in captain of Mumbai Indians respectively, for Thursday night's game against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala. Rohit Sharma, a five-time IPL-winning captain, could also have been an option for MI, but he has largely been featuring as an Impact Player in recent games.

Bumrah (33), who has led India in the past before deciding against taking up a full-time leadership role of the national team, will be the third captain of the side this year, after Pandya and Suryakumar. He has been playing for MI since 2013 and has not represented any other side in the IPL.

Bumrah has played 156 games for Mumbai Indians but has never led the side. He has, however, captained India in two Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests in Australia during the 2024-25 series, as well as in the Test against England in Birmingham in 2022, before voluntarily deciding against taking up a long-term leadership role.

Meanwhile, it is understood that both Suryakumar and Pandya, who have been notably absent in Dharamsala over the last two days, are yet to arrive in the hill city. Sources said tickets were booked for both players, but there is no immediate confirmation of either making the trip.

No Pandya trade

Pandya, of course, has been troubled by back spasms since the game against Chennai Super Kings in Chennai on May 2 and has missed the last two matches - in Mumbai and Raipur. He was recently seen training late into the night at Reliance Corporate Park, but the understanding is that the medical team assessing him is yet to give him full clearance.

Sources in the know, however, have ruled out any possibility of Pandya being traded to another franchise. A section of the social media has been speculating that Mumbai Indians could trade their captain, who himself was part of a high-profile move from Gujarat Titans in 2023, but sources have dismissed such reports.

With the season still ongoing, the franchise is neither entertaining nor discussing any such possibility, and Pandya is expected to continue with MI for the foreseeable future.

Match on in Dharamsala

The teams had to cut short their practice session at HPCA stadium on Wednesday night due to inclement weather. There is no likelihood of the match being disrupted by the weather on Thursday night. The weather since morning has been clear and the 58th match of the season, of particular significance to the home side, should go ahead.