Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya sounded deflated while giving his post-match reaction following a stunning six-wicket defeat against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 41 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Despite amassing a mammoth 243 for 5, MI ended up on the wrong side of result as SRH chased down the target with eight deliveries to spare. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah endured another off day, leaking 54 runs in his four overs and going wicketless.
Following the heart wrenching loss, Hardik admitted that his bowling resources are stretched but stated that the team management needs to find solutions nonetheless. Hardik also conceded that the five-time champions are consistently falling short of their own high standards this season.
MI slump to ninth spot with sixth loss of the season
The shocking defeat left MI languishing at the ninth spot on four points from eight games, while Sunrisers jumped to third spot with 12 points from nine games.
“I think this season we don’t have much option, we really need to see what all differences we can do. I won’t put my bowlers under the bus. I think as an overall unit, we have not been able to do what exactly Mumbai Indians stands for,” said Pandya when asked about the plan to address bowling woes.
“We really need to see what all we need to work on,” he added.
The beleaguered MI skipper said that the team has backing of the owners and the support staff.
“We have passionate owners and support staff, hopefully we will figure out something.”
Hardik feeling bad for MI supporters
Hardik expressed regret for the Mumbai Indians faithful, and rued his team’s inability to not bring them the joy of enough wins.
“We have not given them much opportunity to back us — but they have been fantastic and loyal. Sometimes it hurts when the opposition comes and they start chanting their name. But we probably need to give them more (to cheer and shout about),” he said.
Pandya, however, saw Mumbai Indians’ batting as the silver lining in the defeat.
“Yes, I enjoyed (the batting), I had fun today on the ground. Yeah, I think 244, I think I’ll back my bowlers to stop it, but some other day today we could not execute.
“I think it’s been that kind of season (of missed chances on the field). When you get a couple of chances, you grab them, that’s when the luck and momentum changes. If you don’t, it kind of hurts you…all the boys tried really well. They gave everything, it did not work out,” he added.
Ryan Rickelton scored the fastest century for Mumbai Indians and posted the highest individual score (123) for the franchise to help the hosts post a mammoth total
However, half-centuries from Travis Head and Heinrich Klassen eclipsed Rickelton’s sensational knock as SRH completed the fourth-highest run-chase in IPL history.
(With Agency Inputs)