The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 the season continues to open Mumbai Indians (MI)both on and off the field. after a high-scoring defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) At the Wankhede Stadium, the captain Hardik Pandya made headlines by tapping into an unusual concern – home crowds cheering opposing teams. His comments highlight not only the team’s poor form but also a marked change in fan sentiment during a difficult campaign.
Hardik Pandya hits out at fans after opposition teams surged in support at Wankhede
Mumbai Indians’ struggles took a new turn after they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad, with Pandya openly addressing the lack of crowd support.
After yet another defeat, Pandya did not limit his thoughts to on-field performances. Instead, he focused on the stands, acknowledging the growing trend of home fans rooting for rival teams. The reaction comes at a time when Mumbai Indians have seen them languish near the bottom of the points table with just two wins from eight matches.
Pandya admitted that the team’s performances did not give fans enough reason to rally behind them, while also saying that it can be disappointing to hear chants for visiting teams at home. Speaking candidly after the game, Pandya struck a balanced tone, combining honesty with responsibility. He acknowledged the fan group’s loyalty, but noted the emotional toll of divided support.
He said he was frustrated by opposition players receiving louder cheers at the Wankhede, despite the fans being largely supportive. However, he added that the onus is on the team to perform better and win back that confidence.
“Yeah, I think we didn’t give them that much of a chance to support us. But yeah, they were pretty fantastic. They were committed. They were fantastic. Yeah, sometimes it hurts when the opposing team comes in and starts calling their name. We need to entertain them more to make sure we get that love and trust from them.” Hardik said in the post-game presentation.
Also READ: Fans go crazy as Ryan Rickelton smashes sensational record-breaking century against SRH in IPL 2026
SRH’s fearless chase leaves Mumbai stunned
The match itself summed up Mumbai’s campaign – flashes of brilliance overshadowed by glaring weaknesses. Batting first, MI posted a massive score of 243, which is usually enough to secure victory at the Wankhede.
Ryan Rickelton was an outstanding performer who produced a sensational unbeaten 123. His shots combined power and accuracy to anchor shots beautifully. found strong support from Will Jacks42 with a quick knock while Pandya added a quick cameo of 30 runs.
If Mumbai’s batting impressed, Hyderabad’s chase was nothing short of clinical. Head of Travis and Abhishek Sharma provided a fiery start, immediately putting pressure on MI’s bowlers. As the foundation is laid, Heinrich Klaasen ensured that there was no lag in momentum. The chase was executed with remarkable composure as SRH hunted down the massive target without panic and registered the most successful run chase at the venue.
The biggest concern for Mumbai was their bowling performance. There was a noticeable lack of penetration and control, with no bowler able to apply sustained pressure. Even a spearhead jasprit bumrah He endured a rare day off, going scoreless while passing heavily — a reflection of the team’s overall struggles.
