![Malti Chahar roasts Hardik Pandya [Source: Instagram, X and Screengrabs]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1777957027814_MaltiChaharroastsHardikPandyaonX.jpg?type=hq)
Malti Chahar roasts Hardik Pandya [Source: Instagram, X and Screengrabs]
The Hardik Pandya-less Mumbai Indians camp did well against Lucknow Super Giants in the May 4 clash at Wankhede. They chased down a target of 229 runs with 8 balls to spare, and as per MI pacer Deepak Chahar’s sister, Malti Chahar, the team felt back on track.
The five-time IPL title winners had their backs broken this season. With only 3 wins from 10 matches, MI is no longer the usual win-hungry team. Despite having the cream of Indian players by their side, Mumbai have suffered their worst under Hardik Pandya's leadership.
What is the potential crack between Hardik and the Mumbai Indians?
Ahead of the MI vs LSG clash at Wankhede, an unusual thing happened. Without an air of doubt or speculation, during the toss, suddenly Suryakumar Yadav stepped in to announce that Pandya had a back spasm and would not be available for the game.
Ahead of the toss, no reports or rumours were there about Pandya’s absence and neither did he look uncomfortable during net sessions.
Despite this, a sudden back spasm and the arrival of SKY in the captain’s hat cooked up a massive storm. Fans speculated that Hardik Pandya had been benched due to his poor performances and captaincy.
The unity of players was also pointed out, as after the match, Deepak Chahar, who played the LSG clash, saw his sister praising a Hardik-Pandya-less team.
Also Read- Rohit Sharma Rolls Back The Clock vs LSG; Breaks 13-Year-Old IPL Record
What did Malti Chahar say after MI vs LSG win?
Malti Chahar, Deepak’s sister and a fashion influencer on Instagram, took to her social media handle X to hint at a crackdown between Hardik Pandya and the MI camp.
Malti, who has over 2 million followers on Instagram, shared that the original MI essence is back in the camp.
She praised Ryan Rickelton, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and his brother Deepak Sharma as well while stressing the words, “Team Game.”
“THIS felt like MI again! Almost everyone performed. Well played, Ryan and Rohit bhaiya! Nice captaincy by Surya. And Deepak delivering all 4 overs - well bowled, bro! Proper team game. This is MI!” Malti wrote on her X handle.
While the post looked like a harmless appreciation post, fans on Malti’s X handle quickly caught the fishy hint about Hardik Pandya.
Let’s take a look at how fans reacted to Malti’s post:
How Hardik-less MI stormed through LSG
In the match, Lucknow Super Giants put up a valiant effort to post 228 runs on the board while batting first. On a flat Wankhede track, Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran showed their usual form to stitch a 35-ball 94-run partnership.
Later, Aiden Markram, who came in to bat at number five, scored a 25-ball 31 alongside Himmat Singh, who stayed unbeaten on 40 off 31 balls to help LSG reach the mammoth total.
In the MI bowling camp, Deepak Chahar went wicketless and conceded 43 runs from his four overs. Jasprit Bumrah was expensive too, giving away 45 runs from his four overs at an economy rate of 11.25.
It was only Corbin Bosch, Will Jacks, AM Ghazanfar, and Raghu Sharma who managed to take wickets.
MI responded strongly with the bat
However, the Mumbai Indians camp responded strongly as Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma put together a 65-ball 143-run partnership.
Although they suffered a middle-order collapse, with Rohit, Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav getting out in quick succession, Naman Dhir and Will Jacks stayed till the end to seal the game. The duo finished the chase with six wickets in hand and eight balls to spare.
Also Read: Rishabh Pant In A 'Tough Position'; LSG Coach Decodes Key Reasons For IPL Slump
