The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season continues to unravel for the Mumbai Indians (MI), both on and off the field. After a high-scoring defeat against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Wankhede Stadium, captain Hardik Pandya made headlines by addressing an unusual concern — the home crowd cheering for opposition teams. His remarks highlight not just the team’s poor run of form, but also a visible shift in fan sentiment during a difficult campaign.
Hardik Pandya snaps at fans after support for opposition teams grow in Wankhede
The struggles of the Mumbai Indians took a fresh turn after their defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad, with Pandya openly addressing the lack of crowd support.
Following yet another loss, Pandya did not limit his reflections to on-field performances. Instead, he turned his attention to the stands, acknowledging the growing trend of home fans cheering for opposition teams. The reaction comes at a time when Mumbai Indians find themselves languishing near the bottom of the points table, with just two wins in eight matches.
Pandya admitted that the team’s performances have not given fans enough reason to rally behind them but also expressed that hearing chants for visiting teams at home can be disheartening. Speaking candidly after the game, Pandya struck a balanced tone, blending honesty with accountability. He acknowledged the loyalty of the fanbase but pointed out the emotional impact of divided support.
He said that while fans have largely remained supportive, it does sting when opposition players receive louder cheers at Wankhede. However, he was quick to add that the responsibility lies with the team to perform better and win back that trust.
“Yes, I think we have not given them much opportunity to back us. But yeah, they have been quite fantastic. They have been loyal. They have been fantastic. Yeah, sometimes it hurts when the opposition team comes and they start chanting their names. We need to entertain them more to make sure we get that love and trust from them,” Hardik said in the post-match presentation.
SRH’s fearless chase stuns Mumbai
The match itself summed up Mumbai’s campaign — flashes of brilliance overshadowed by glaring weaknesses. Batting first, MI posted a formidable total of 243, a score that would typically be enough to secure a win at Wankhede.
Ryan Rickelton was the standout performer, crafting a sensational unbeaten 123. His innings combined power and precision, anchoring the innings beautifully. He found solid support from Will Jacks, who chipped in with a brisk 42, while Pandya added a quick cameo of 30 runs.
If Mumbai’s batting impressed, Hyderabad’s chase was simply clinical. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma provided a blazing start, immediately putting pressure on MI’s bowlers. Once the foundation was laid, Heinrich Klaasen ensured there was no let-up in momentum. The chase was executed with remarkable composure, as SRH hunted down the massive target without panic, registering the highest successful run chase at the venue.
For Mumbai, the bigger concern lay in their bowling performance. There was a noticeable lack of penetration and control, with no bowler able to apply sustained pressure. Even spearhead Jasprit Bumrah endured a rare off day, finishing wicketless while conceding heavily — a reflection of the team’s overall struggles.
