In a thrilling match on Thursday, the Mumbai Indians (MI) achieved their fourth victory of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season against the Punjab Kings. The match was led by captain Jasprit Bumrah, while star player Hardik Pandya was absent due to a back spasm. However, this absence has fueled rumors of potential discord within the team. Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag commented on the situation, suggesting that if the rumors regarding dressing room tensions are accurate, MI should consider releasing Pandya. He emphasized that while he personally would retain Pandya due to his high value as a player, the franchise must address any underlying issues. Sehwag noted that Pandya's market value should align more closely with the ₹27 crore that Rishabh Pant received in the IPL 2025 mega auction, rather than his current salary of ₹16 crore. As the Mumbai Indians approach the end of their season with two matches remaining, fans are eager to see if Pandya will return to the squad.