Fact Check- Did Akash Ambani, Nita Ambani Hijack Hardik Pandya's Decisions?

Akash Ambani caught yelling at Hardik Pandya? [Source: Chatgpt]

The Mumbai Indians are in the midst of an awful IPL 2026 season, where they plunged to the ninth spot on the points table, out of the playoff race. Amid this, a viral video of franchise owners Akash and Nita Ambani having a go at players has gone viral.

MI is owned by India's richest family, the Ambani family. During the IPL, members of the family, including Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani, are often seen supporting the team from the outside.

Did the Ambanis humiliate Hardik Pandya?

However, this year, the Ambani family had a tough time as well. The Mumbai Indians didn’t give them any reasons to support them, leading to an angry outburst. 

In a clip getting viral on social media, Akash and Nita Ambani were seen screaming as they appealed for a dismissal during the MI vs PBKS clash. While Nita thought the player was out, Akash called for a DRS review. 

Not only that, Akash crossed a line when he shouted at a player fielding at the deep, making ugly gestures. Fans, meanwhile, on the internet claimed that Ambani was angry at captain Hardik Pandya, suggesting that he doesn’t have the guts to take a review.

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@OxygenKohlii18

Akash Ambani was seen suggesting Hardik to take a review from outside, while Neeta Ambani had already signaled it was out. Akash Ambani telling Bumrah, “You don’t have the guts in your ass to ask for a review for your own wicket,” came across as very rude 🤯

May 20, 2026, 11:53 PM

However, the reality turned out to be different. Akash Ambani was actually shouting at Jasprit Bumrah, who was fielding deep, and not Hardik Pandya. 

And the gesture also came out in the heat of the moment, but it did look ugly, something that doesn’t suit such high-profile franchise owners. 

ValenceCricket

@CricketValence

During yesterday’s PBKS vs MI match, Akash Ambani was only suggesting a review from outside, while Neeta Ambani had already signaled it was out. Akash Ambani telling Bumrah, “You don’t have the guts in your ass to take the review,” came across as very rude 🤯🤦‍♂️

May 15, 2026, 12:00 PM

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Mumbai Indians have been in a deep mess since Hardik’s arrival

Meanwhile, these fake gossips are spreading faster because rumours suggest that the Mumbai Indians are unhappy with the arrival of Hardik Pandya. For context, Hardik rejoined MI in 2024 via a trade with the Gujarat Titans and replaced Rohit Sharma as captain.

However, that year, MI finished at the bottom of the table. In IPL 2025, Mumbai did qualify for the playoffs but couldn’t make it to the final.

Now, this year, MI are again out of the playoff race and could finish in ninth place. Moreover, the players’ weak and casual body language on the field has also triggered a debate that the dressing room atmosphere is negative.

However, so far, the Mumbai Indians have not addressed any rumours. They firmly believe that it’s just a bad season and that players are getting along well, leaving no room for a rift.

Hardik Pandya back as MI captain

Meanwhile, during the last Mumbai Indians KKR game in IPL 2026, Hardik Pandya made a comeback from a back injury. He had missed a couple of games where MI actually fought well and won.

However, against KKR, the five-time IPL champions again collapsed. They couldn’t defend 147, and the fielding effort was even more diabolical. 

Hardik Pandya appeared helpless but still backed the team as they now look forward to their final league clash against RR at Wankhede Stadium on May 24.

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