Speculation intensified on Saturday as Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya was a notable absentee from the team’s Match 8 encounter against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. While social media was quickly flooded with rumours suggesting his absence was linked to the alleged pregnancy of his girlfriend, model Mahieka Sharma, official team communications tell a different story. The 32-year-old all-rounder was replaced by stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav for the crucial fixture in the capital. You can find Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians match scorecard here. 

The rumours regarding Mahieka Sharma’s pregnancy appear to be entirely speculative, originating from unverified social media handles. There has been no official confirmation or credible reporting to suggest that the couple is expecting a child.

User Shares Fake Reason Behind Hardik Pandya's Absence From DC vs MI IPL 2026

Did Hardik Pandya Miss DC vs MI IPL 2026 Match Due To Girlfriend Maheika Sharma’s Pregnancy?

The Mumbai Indians franchise issued a formal statement shortly before the toss, clarifying that Pandya was 'indisposed'. Stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav further confirmed the situation during the toss with Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel, stating that the regular captain was unwell and not fit to take the field. "He's not well; it doesn't look good today, so he wasn't fit for the game," Yadav told broadcasters.  Why is Hardik Pandya Not Playing in DC vs MI IPL 2026 Match?.

Suryakumar Yadav Confirms at Toss the Reason Behind Hardik Pandya's Absence

The team management opted to rest the star all-rounder as a precautionary measure, drafting in seamer Deepak Chahar to bolster the bowling attack in his place. 

Hardik Pandya and Mahieka Sharma have been a frequent topic of discussion since they made their relationship public in late 2025. Sharma, an award-winning model and yoga instructor, has been a regular presence in the stands during IPL 2026, often seen alongside Pandya's son, Agastya.

Fact check

Fact Check: Did Hardik Pandya Miss DC vs MI IPL 2026 Match Due To Girlfriend Mahieka Sharma’s Pregnancy?
Claim :

Hardik Pandya Missed DC vs MI IPL 2026 Match Due To Girlfriend Mahieka Sharma’s Pregnancy

Conclusion :

False, Pandya Missed DC vs MI IPL 2026 Match Due To Illness As Confirmed by Suryakumar Yadav During Toss

Full of Trash
Clean

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 04, 2026 06:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).