Mumbai, April 8: Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya criticised his bowling unit after a comprehensive 27-run defeat to Rajasthan Royals in a rain-curtailed 11-overs-a-side match at the ACA Stadium in IPL 2026.
Royals’ Openers Set the Tone
Out came Rajasthan to bat first, sparking fast thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal alongside young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Right away the duo hammered Mumbai’s bowlers, piling on 56 before the fourth over even finished. Speed surged through their stand, slicing open the field under early sun.
Off the mark, Jaiswal struck 77 not out from 32 balls, his timing sharp and relentless. Then came Sooryavanshi, clearing boundaries with 39 in only 14 shots. Together, their fire lit up the scoreboard – Rajasthan reached 150 for three across 11 overs. That kind of pace left little room for breath.
Mumbai Collapse Under Pressure
In response, Mumbai Indians faltered early in their chase of 151. The batting line-up crumbled to 46/5 within the Power-play and failed to recover from the early setback. Despite minor resistance, they eventually finished at 123/9, falling short by 27 runs.
Pandya Holds Bowlers Accountable
Speaking after the match, Pandya squarely blamed the bowling unit for failing to execute plans.
“We did not execute the deliveries we were supposed to. Bowlers need to take responsibility. As a bowling group, we were not up to the mark,” Pandya said.
He emphasised that conceding too many boundaries early allowed Rajasthan to dictate terms.
“I would not put the blame on batting. If we had executed better with the ball, we would have been in the game,” he added.
Praise for Young Sooryavanshi
Fearless play stood out, said the Mumbai skipper about young Sooryavanshi.
“It’s fascinating to see such a young player bat with that kind of confidence. He has a bright future ahead,” Pandya remarked.
Looking Ahead
Looking Ahead
Even after the defeat, Pandya held onto hope of a comeback during the competition.
“We will learn from our mistakes and prepare well for the next game,” he said.
Facing off again, Mumbai Indians take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Wankhede Stadium – aiming to shake off recent losses when they meet the title holders.
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