Mumbai Indians are preparing for an important IPL 2026 clash against Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday, April 7. The match will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
Before the game, MI bowling coach Paras Mhambrey spoke about Rajasthan Royals youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and also shared an update on captain Hardik Pandya’s fitness.
Match Overview
| Match | Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians |
|---|---|
| Tournament | IPL 2026 |
| Date | 7 April 2026 |
| Venue | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati |
| Start Time | 7:30 PM IST |
MI Coach Says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Is Not a New Player
Paras Mhambrey said Mumbai Indians are well aware of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s ability. According to him, the youngster is already in his second IPL season, so teams understand his game now.
He explained that MI will prepare for him just like they do for any other strong batter in the tournament.
Mhambrey said that Vaibhav has been batting well and showing good form. Because of that, MI will focus on proper planning rather than treating him as an unknown player.
Vaibhav has already shown his talent in recent years. In IPL 2025, he scored a remarkable 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans. He also impressed during the Under-19 World Cup with a brilliant 175 runs from just 80 balls.
Now he faces a tough challenge against the experienced MI bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah.
Ravi Bishnoi No Longer a Mystery Spinner
Mhambrey also spoke about Rajasthan Royals leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi. He believes Bishnoi is no longer a mystery spinner because teams have watched him closely for several seasons.
According to him, most teams now understand Bishnoi’s variations and bowling style.
Mhambrey added that every cricketer experiences ups and downs in performance. Some matches go well while others may not, and that is part of the game.
Hardik Pandya Fit and Ready to Captain MI
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya is ready to return after missing the previous match against Delhi Capitals due to illness.
In that game, Suryakumar Yadav led the side, but MI lost by six wickets.
Mhambrey confirmed that Hardik has recovered fully and trained in the nets. He said the all-rounder was not injured but simply unwell, which is why he missed the previous game.
Hardik Pandya Fitness Update
| Player | Status | Reason for Missing Last Match |
|---|---|---|
| Hardik Pandya | Fit and available | Illness |
Hardik’s return will be important for MI as he brings balance to the team with both bat and ball.
Mumbai Indians’ Start to IPL 2026
Mumbai Indians have had mixed results at the start of IPL 2026.
They began the season with an impressive win against Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium. MI chased down a big target of 221 runs in 19.1 overs.
Hardik Pandya played a useful role in that match, scoring 18 runs from 11 balls and also taking a wicket.
However, MI faced a setback in their next match against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where they lost by six wickets.
The team will now aim to bounce back against Rajasthan Royals.
RR vs MI Head-to-Head Record in IPL
Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals have had a competitive rivalry in IPL history.
| Team | Wins |
|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians | 16 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 14 |
Both teams have faced each other 31 times in the tournament, with Mumbai Indians holding a slight advantage.
The upcoming match at Barsapara Stadium promises to be exciting. Rajasthan Royals will rely on their young talent like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, while Mumbai Indians will depend on their experienced players such as Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.
With both teams looking to gain momentum early in the season, fans can expect a competitive contest in Guwahati.
