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In a strong post-match reaction, Hardik Pandya did not hold back as he criticised the bowling unit of the Mumbai Indians following their 27-run defeat against the fire team of Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League 2026 on Tuesday.
Mumbai Indians suffered their second consecutive loss as their bowlers failed to contain Rajasthan’s explosive batting. In a shortened 11-over-a-side contest, Rajasthan Royals posted a commanding total of 150/3, thanks to a brilliant unbeaten knock from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 77 runs.
Young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also played a crucial role in putting pressure on the MI bowling attack early in the innings.
Chasing 151, Mumbai Indians struggled to keep up with the required run rate and were restricted to 123/9, falling short by 27 runs.
Hardik Pandya’s Brutal Verdict
Speaking after the match, Hardik Pandya made it clear that the defeat was primarily due to poor bowling प्रदर्शन. He defended the batting unit and pointed fingers directly at the bowlers for not executing their plans.
As well as the are telling “I would not put this game on the batting. This was definitely the bowling unit which had to take responsibility,” Pandya said.
He further explained that in T20 cricket, even a few deliveries can change the outcome of a match. According to him, The team Mumbai Indians were just a few “good balls” away from staying in the contest.
Read also: Rajasthan Royals Team Preview IPL 2026: Full Squad, Key Players, Strengths
Where Mumbai Indians Went Wrong
The MI bowling lineup, featuring big names like Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Shardul Thakur, and Deepak Chahar, had a disappointing outing. Collectively, they managed to pick up just one wicket, while conceding runs at a high economy rate.
Pandya admitted that the bowlers were “not up to the mark” and failed to deliver under pressure. He also credited Rajasthan Royals’ openers for taking the game away within the first few overs.
Rajasthan Royals Dominate Early
Rajasthan Royals seized control of the match right from the start. Aggressive stroke play by Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi dismantled the MI bowling attack, leaving them on the back foot early in the game.
Pandya acknowledged this momentum shift, stating that MI were “playing catch-up” throughout the innings after the explosive start by RR.
Read also:- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Biography 2026 – Age, IPL Stats, Net Worth, Records
What This Means for MI
With back-to-back defeats in IPL 2026, Mumbai Indians now face early pressure in the tournament. The team will need to quickly address their bowling issues if they hope to bounce back in upcoming matches.
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals will take confidence from this dominant performance as they continue their strong run in the tournament.
