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Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya (Source: AP)
Hardik Pandya is one such player who shows a lot of emotions and aggression on the field. Since he has been playing cricket for India or in the IPL, he has shown a range of emotions and has always drawn the limelight.
A similar burst of emotions from Hardik Pandya was seen during the recent IPL 2026 match between the Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings on April 16, 2026.
The Mumbai Indians are currently enduring a tough IPL 2026 campaign. Under Hardik's leadership, the team has managed just one win in five matches, placing them near the bottom of the table.
Despite having star players like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav, the team has struggled to find consistency.
Mumbai Indians' difficult defeat against PBKS
The match against PBKS was another disappointing outing for the Mumbai Indians. Batting first, MI posted a competitive total of 195, thanks largely to a brilliant century from Quinton de Kock, who scored an unbeaten 112 off 60 balls.
However, the bowling unit failed to defend the total. Punjab Kings chased down the target comfortably in just 16.3 overs. Prabhsimran Singh and captain Shreyas Iyer stitched together a dominant 139-run partnership, leaving MI bowlers with no answers.
Hardik Pandya loses his cool in MI vs PBKS match
Amid the tense situation, Hardik Pandya was involved in a heated moment that is now quickly going viral. During MI's innings, a spectator seated near the sight screen reportedly stood up repeatedly, obstructing Hardik's view while he was batting.
Initially, Hardik Pandya gestured for the fan to sit down, appearing visibly frustrated. However, when the same incident happened again on the very next delivery, the MI captain lost his composure.
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The stump mic clearly captured him shouting angrily, using abusive language directed at the individual. The outburst happened in full view of the umpire and players on the field, drawing immediate attention.
"ARE YOU F*****G KIDDING ME? F*****G B*****D!"
Watch the video here:
Hardik Pandya's captaincy under scrutiny
The incident comes at a time when Hardik's captaincy is already being questioned. MI's defeat against PBKS has intensified criticism of his tactical decisions and leadership style.
Several videos of a possible disagreement between Hardik and Jasprit Bumrah over field placements during the match have also gone viral, hinting at tension within the squad.
After the loss to Punjab Kings, Hardik admitted that the team had been outplayed in all departments and hinted that tough decisions might be needed moving forward.
Hardik Pandya's form in IPL 2026 so far
Hardik's individual performance has also been below expectations this season. In four matches, he has scored just 81 runs without making a significant impact. With the ball, he has taken only two wickets in three innings while conceding runs at a high economy rate.
In the next game, Mumbai will face the Gujarat Titans on April 20, and this match will be crucial for the team and for Hardik on a personal level.
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