Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya & MI owners in frame. PC-AP
Mumbai Indians (MI) faced an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Thursday at the Wankhede Stadium. As the home side was thrashed by 103 runs, the poor show angered the franchise owner, the Ambani family, with Hardik Pandya and company.
MI are going through an unforgettable season in the IPL 2026, losing five out of seven matches. Although they started their campaign with a booming victory, the five-time champions faced four defeats on the trot.
Tilak Varma's century vs GT brought them back to winning ways, but MI faced their biggest loss to CSK at Mumbai in their last fixture. Although Chennai posted a massive 207/6, it was the batters, not the bowling, that let the five-time champions down.
As MI tumbled for 104 runs, it was one of the poorest batting shows put up by any line-up this season. They lost three wickets early, but Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma brought them back in the chase with their 73-run partnership.
MI's horrible show vs CSK angers Akash Ambani
While chasing 207 runs, MI faced a collapse from 84/3 to 104 all out, which not only annoyed the hardcore MI fans but also angered the owners, the Ambanis.
The MI owners, who are a constant presence during home games, were in attendance at the fixture against CSK. As the middle order was losing the plot, an angry Akash Ambani, who is the owner of the franchise, left the match midway.
A video is making waves on social media, showing the owner leaving his seat after Suryakumar Yadav’s dismissal in the 14th over of the second innings. As Ambani left the stadium, he was seen gesturing to his younger brother, Anant Ambani, in the stands to leave with him.
Watch: Akash Ambani gets annoyed after MI performance vs CSK
In another video, the two Ambani brothers were seen leaving the Wankhede Stadium in a custom Rolls-Royce Cullinan car.
Watch: Akash Ambani, Anant Ambani leave Wankhede midway
Sanju Samson's century leaves MI in pieces
The yellow jersey is suiting Sanju Samson very well, as the T20 World Cup hero is just dealing in centuries. The CSK opener has scored two centuries while playing just seven games for the franchise.
As CSK posted 207/6, Samson was the showstopper as he slammed his fifth hundred in IPL cricket. The stylish batter carried his bat, amassing an unbeaten 101 off just 54 balls, hitting 10 boundaries and six maximums.
If Sanju Samson was not enough, Akeal Hosein punished MI hard in the second innings. The left-arm spinner didn't allow them to take a breather, taking four wickets for just 17 runs, sending back Danish Malewar, Naman Dhir, Tilak Varma and Suryakumar.
Thanks to Samson and Hosein, CSK bagged their biggest victory in what is deemed the IPL El Clásico.
Why is MI performing so poorly in IPL 2026?
MI have one of the strongest line-ups on paper, with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Sherfane Rutherford, Quinton de Kock and Hardik Pandya in their arsenal. Mumbai’s key members look miserably out of touch, having come straight from the high-intensity T20 World Cup 2026.
However, the five-time champions have a six-day break before their next IPL 2026 match to refuel their tanks and aim for a resurgence.
MI will next be seen in action against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 29 in Mumbai.
Also Read: Akeal Hosein Reveals Hidden Reason Behind Viral Celebration
