'Checked-in': Hardik Pandya joins MI squad ahead of IPL match against RCB

NEW DELHI: Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has joined his MI teammates in Raipur ahead of their next Indian Premier League (IPL) game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on SundayPandya had missed MI's last game against LSG due to a back spasm on Monday. His niggle is said to be a minor one and he was advised rest for the game against LSG."Checked-in Raipur," MI posted on social media along with a photo of Hardik Pandya on Thursday.A full-fledged training session is scheduled at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium and Pandya is likely to train in the nets on Friday.With seven defeats and three victories, Mumbai Indians are languishing at the ninth spot on the points table and need to win each of their remaining matches to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.Placed ninth on the table with just six points after 10 matches, the Mumbai Indians only have an outside chance of making it to the playoffs.It also remains to be seen how Pandya, who has missed two games due to health-related issues in this edition of IPL, pulls up for the must-win clash against defending champions RCB at Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium.While Suryakumar Yadav had stepped in to lead in Pandya's absence, opener Ryan Rickelton said after the game against LSG that he did not have much information on the matter. "I don't know when he's expected to be back. I only found out this afternoon that he had back spasms. I'm unaware of the extent of it or how bad it is or what he's feeling," Rickelton said.