Hardik Pandya has now shifted his focus from teammates to the stands and called on Mumbai Indians fans to support the opposition teams during IPL 2026. The MI captain’s comments come after another disappointing defeat, this time against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede.

MI lost despite a huge score of 243 runs. With only two wins from eight matches, pushing them to ninth place in the table. Speaking after the game, Hardik reflected not only on the performance but also the support from the crowd.

MI vs SRH, IPL 2026: highlight | Achievement:

Hardik said, “Yes, I think we have not given them much opportunity to support us. But yes, they have been brilliant. They have been loyal. They have been brilliant. Yes, sometimes it hurts when the opposition team comes and they start chanting our name. We need to entertain them more to make sure that we get that love and faith from them.”

The comments came especially in a season where MI have already faced internal and external criticism over their performances.

Why did Hardik Pandya call MI fans?

There is disappointment in what Hardik said, but there is also some honesty.

MI has not played like the team in charge at the Wankhede this season. When the results do not come, the mood of the stand changes. It seemed that this is what Hardik was achieving. The noise from the opposing teams has become louder than usual and it has not gone unnoticed.

The match against Royal Challengers Bangalore earlier this season is a good example of this. The chants were clear, and for a team like MI, this is not something you expect at home.

How SRH beat MI at home

Mumbai Indians looked in control for most of the first innings.

Ryan Rickelton played a brilliant inningsRemained unbeaten on 123 runs. This was the kind of innings that should have sealed victory. Will Jacques supported him by scoring 42 runs and Hardik quickly added 30 runs.

But still, it felt as if MI had given up a few runs. On a ground like Wankhede and against a batting team like SRH, 243 is big but not always safe.

This proved to be true.

SRH did not hesitate. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma set the tempo early on, and once the chase started, MI never really pulled it back. Heinrich Klaasen ensured there was no slump in the middle overs.

What will worry Mumbai Indians most is how flat their bowling is looking. No real success was achieved, no pressure was exerted. Even Jasprit Bumrah did not get any wicket and gave away 54 runs, ending the night.

SRH chased 244 without panic, the highest successful chase recorded at the venue.

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