![Mahieka Sharma and Hardik Pandya [Source: X and Screengrab]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1777738583292_MahiekaSharmaandHardikPandya.jpg?type=hq)
Mahieka Sharma and Hardik Pandya [Source: X and Screengrab]
It has been one of the most troublesome campaigns for Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya in IPL 2026. After a string of poor scores with the bat, where his only successful knocks came against Sunrisers Hyderabad and RCB, Hardik Pandya faltered again vs Chennai in the MI vs CSK clash on May 2 at Chepauk.
Scoring only 18 runs from 23 balls, a struggling Pandya failed to revive Mumbai's innings against an attacking Chennai Super Kings at their home ground.
Mumbai Indians Failing Miserably At Chepauk
In the absence of Rohit Sharma, Will Jacks came in to open with Ryan Rickelton but faltered miserably as he was dismissed quickly by Anshul Kambhoj in the second over.
After a brisk knock from Ryan Rickelton and Naman Dhir, Mumbai managed to reach the 100-run mark inside 11 overs as Hardik Pandya walked in after Tilak Varma's wicket.
Varma, who impressed in his previous encounters, failed to make a mark with just 5 runs off 8 balls, with Pandya also struggling with the bat.
Pandya's recent scores read 18, 31, 1, 15, 14, which clearly underlines his worrying form with the bat. With the ball too, Pandya has not been very productive, having taken only four wickets from seven matches while maintaining an alarming economy rate of 12.27.
Also Read- MS Dhoni Goes Against CSK's Interest, Helps Hardik Pandya Regain Lost Form
Internet Attacks Hardik Pandya
Netizens have been speaking about Pandya's captaincy since his debut season. However, many have also pointed out how the players are not cooperating with Hardik to play as a unit and help Mumbai revive their campaign in the Indian Premier League 2026.
Let’s take a look at how the internet attacked Pandya:
The Downfall of Hardik Pandya
Though uncertainty lies all over, Pandya has been facing trolls because of his worrisome batting form. Once someone who averaged 44.66 back in 2019, he now struggles with an average of 20.
The downfall has been since IPL 2023, with his last stint for the Gujarat Titans seeing him average 31.45 but at a very low strike rate of 136.75. Since then, his average has remained in the 20s with disappointing drops in strike rate as well.
MI vs CSK Clash In the Grasp of Chennai
Chennai Super Kings took hold of the match early, as Anshul Kamboj and Noor Ahmad struck in the very beginning. The only notable MI partnerships were between Ryan Rickelton and Naman Dhir, and between Naman Dhir and Suryakumar Yadav.
Other than that, the CSK bowlers, namely Kamboj, who scalped three wickets in his four overs, alongside Noor Ahmad, Ramakrishna Ghosh, and Jamie Overton, managed to keep Mumbai Indians at bay in Chepauk.
The MI vs CSK match now stands as a crucial turning point for both teams, as they are almost playing a virtual eliminator to secure their spot in the playoffs.
While the Hardik Pandya-led team stands ninth on the points table, having won only two of their eight matches, the Chennai Super Kings are also struggling in seventh position, with three wins from eight games.
Also Read- Watch- Jamie Overton Breaks Tilak Varma's Wrist Watch In Half Days After Heated Face-Off
.jpg?type=mq "Tilak's Wrist watch gone")
