IPL 2026: ‘सूर्य’ की चमक क्यों पड़ी फीकी? कभी तेज गेंदबाजों के लिए थे मुसीबत, अब उन्हीं के खिलाफ कर रहे संघर्ष
सूर्यकुमार यादव जब बल्लेबाजी करने आते हैं तो मैदान का माहौल बदल जाता है। फील्डर…
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#IPL #Hardik #Pandya #motives #players #energy #Tilak #Varma">IPL 2026: Hardik Pandya motives players with his energy, says Tilak Varma
Ever since being an integral member of India’s T20 World Cup title defence, Tilak Varma had endured a quiet run in the Indian Premier League. On Wednesday, however, after rediscovering his touch and helping Mumbai Indians snap a four-match losing streak, Tilak offered a glimpse into the contrasting captaincy styles he has experienced this season.
“To be honest, Surya (Suryakumar Yadav, India captain) was a bit tactical. And Hardik bhai (Pandya), he always backs the players and himself. If you see the last game, he was saying ‘you will do it, you will do it’ and show it,” Tilak said ahead of MI’s clash against Chennai Super Kings.
“Many people have asked me what Hardik was talking to you. He keeps motivating the players. He motivates the players with his energy. Hardik bhai’s captaincy is the same. It’s kind of that energy. And Surya bhai is more into the tactical side. So, both are good in their aspects. And I am enjoying Surya bhai’s captaincy and I am enjoying Hardik bhai’s captaincy as well.”
Preview | Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings: a familiar rivalry seeks new relevance
Tilak’s words came on the back of a defining knock in Ahmedabad, where he hammered an unbeaten 101 off 47 balls — an innings that turned the tide after a slow start of 19 off 22 deliveries.
He credited Rohit Sharma for helping him navigate the early phase. “I was talking especially with Rohit Bhai. He was saying to me that, we know and everyone knows what you can do after playing those 15-20 balls, so just do this,” Tilak said.
“Don’t look at the situation. Don’t look at anything. First, play 15 balls. And after that, whatever happens, we’ll see. That gave me confidence.”
Published on Apr 22, 2026
Ever since being an integral member of India’s T20 World Cup title defence, Tilak Varma had endured a quiet run in the Indian Premier League. On Wednesday, however, after rediscovering his touch and helping Mumbai Indians snap a four-match losing streak, Tilak offered a glimpse into the contrasting captaincy styles he has experienced this season.
“To be honest, Surya (Suryakumar Yadav, India captain) was a bit tactical. And Hardik bhai (Pandya), he always backs the players and himself. If you see the last game, he was saying ‘you will do it, you will do it’ and show it,” Tilak said ahead of MI’s clash against Chennai Super Kings.
“Many people have asked me what Hardik was talking to you. He keeps motivating the players. He motivates the players with his energy. Hardik bhai’s captaincy is the same. It’s kind of that energy. And Surya bhai is more into the tactical side. So, both are good in their aspects. And I am enjoying Surya bhai’s captaincy and I am enjoying Hardik bhai’s captaincy as well.”
Preview | Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings: a familiar rivalry seeks new relevance
Tilak’s words came on the back of a defining knock in Ahmedabad, where he hammered an unbeaten 101 off 47 balls — an innings that turned the tide after a slow start of 19 off 22 deliveries.
He credited Rohit Sharma for helping him navigate the early phase. “I was talking especially with Rohit Bhai. He was saying to me that, we know and everyone knows what you can do after playing those 15-20 balls, so just do this,” Tilak said.
“Don’t look at the situation. Don’t look at anything. First, play 15 balls. And after that, whatever happens, we’ll see. That gave me confidence.”
Published on Apr 22, 2026
Ever since being an integral member of India’s T20 World Cup title defence, Tilak Varma…
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#Whats #Wrong #Mumbai #Indians #IPL">What’s Going Wrong for Mumbai Indians In IPL 2026?
A poor start to an IPL season is nothing out of the ordinary for Mumbai Indians. Even at its title-winning best, MI often took its own time to find rhythm.
That trend appeared to have changed when MI beat Kolkata Knight Riders in its first game of IPL 2026, breaking a 13-year streak of losing its season opener.
However, that proved to be a false dawn, as the five-time champion went on to lose its next four games. Old habits die hard.
Even five games into the season, the Hardik Pandya-led side is yet to settle on its ideal playing XII. The batting order has been in constant flux, while the bowling set-up has looked unsettled, resulting in the team using 17 players this season. Only Chennai Super Kings has used more (18).
The injury to Rohit Sharma has been a big blow to Mumbai Indians.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
The injury to Rohit Sharma has been a big blow to Mumbai Indians.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
Injuries have also played their part. The side was without Hardik against Delhi Capitals and missed Rohit Sharma against Punjab Kings.
The imbalance in combination has only been compounded by a lack of contributions.
Not a single MI batter features in the top 30 of the run-getters list this season. Openers Ryan Rickelton and Rohit are joint-33rd and are the only ones with more than 120 runs (both 137).
The returns from Suryakumar Yadav (106), Hardik (81) and Naman Dhir (109) appear decent only when contrasted with the woeful output from Tilak Varma, who has managed just 43 runs from five innings so far.
Despite the absence of a holding figure in the batting unit, MI has scored at a run rate of 10.26, the fourth-best for a team this season.
But that scoring rate is completely offset by the team’s generosity with the ball. MI has conceded 11.34 runs per over in IPL 2026. No team in the league’s history has gone at more than 10.28 in a season.
Shardul Thakur is the leading wicket-taker for MI in IPL 2026, but his six scalps have come at a very high cost. He has conceded an eye-watering 13.57 runs per over.
Jasprit Bumrah, while economical, has been unable to prise out wickets in this IPL so far.
| Photo Credit:
EMMANUAL YOGINI
Jasprit Bumrah, while economical, has been unable to prise out wickets in this IPL so far.
| Photo Credit:
EMMANUAL YOGINI
What has truly dragged down MI’s bowling has been Jasprit Bumrah’s surprising lack of penetration. The Indian pacer has gone wicketless in the first five games. He has been the most economical of MI’s bowlers, going at 8.63 runs per over, but this is also his worst economy rate since IPL 2016.
Bumrah’s struggles have come to symbolise the crisis MI finds itself in during the early part of IPL 2026.
Skipper Hardik acknowledged the gravity of the situation after his side conceded a seven-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings at home.
“To be honest, I don’t have much to say. We need to go back and see where we’re lacking – if it’s individuals, groups or planning and work it out. We need to see if we need to make difficult calls or see if we continue and turn things around. Ownership has to be taken,” said Hardik.
Once again, MI has painted itself into a tricky corner, with a playoff spot looking increasingly distant. But if there is any team well-versed in rebounding from such situations, it is MI. If Hardik’s words are to provoke a reaction, the defeat to PBKS could yet prove to be a turning point in IPL 2026.
Published on Apr 20, 2026
The injury to Rohit Sharma has been a big blow to Mumbai Indians. | Photo Credit: PTI
The injury to Rohit Sharma has been a big blow to Mumbai Indians. | Photo Credit: PTI
Jasprit Bumrah, while economical, has been unable to prise out wickets in this IPL so far. | Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI
Jasprit Bumrah, while economical, has been unable to prise out wickets in this IPL so far. | Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI
A poor start to an IPL season is nothing out of the ordinary for Mumbai Indians. Even at its title-winning best, MI often took its own time to find rhythm.
That trend appeared to have changed when MI beat Kolkata Knight Riders in its first game of IPL 2026, breaking a 13-year streak of losing its season opener.
However, that proved to be a false dawn, as the five-time champion went on to lose its next four games. Old habits die hard.
Even five games into the season, the Hardik Pandya-led side is yet to settle on its ideal playing XII. The batting order has been in constant flux, while the bowling set-up has looked unsettled, resulting in the team using 17 players this season. Only Chennai Super Kings has used more (18).
The injury to Rohit Sharma has been a big blow to Mumbai Indians. | Photo Credit: PTI
The injury to Rohit Sharma has been a big blow to Mumbai Indians. | Photo Credit: PTI
Injuries have also played their part. The side was without Hardik against Delhi Capitals and missed Rohit Sharma against Punjab Kings.
The imbalance in combination has only been compounded by a lack of contributions.
Not a single MI batter features in the top 30 of the run-getters list this season. Openers Ryan Rickelton and Rohit are joint-33rd and are the only ones with more than 120 runs (both 137).
The returns from Suryakumar Yadav (106), Hardik (81) and Naman Dhir (109) appear decent only when contrasted with the woeful output from Tilak Varma, who has managed just 43 runs from five innings so far.
Despite the absence of a holding figure in the batting unit, MI has scored at a run rate of 10.26, the fourth-best for a team this season.
But that scoring rate is completely offset by the team’s generosity with the ball. MI has conceded 11.34 runs per over in IPL 2026. No team in the league’s history has gone at more than 10.28 in a season.
Shardul Thakur is the leading wicket-taker for MI in IPL 2026, but his six scalps have come at a very high cost. He has conceded an eye-watering 13.57 runs per over.
Jasprit Bumrah, while economical, has been unable to prise out wickets in this IPL so far. | Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI
Jasprit Bumrah, while economical, has been unable to prise out wickets in this IPL so far. | Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI
What has truly dragged down MI’s bowling has been Jasprit Bumrah’s surprising lack of penetration. The Indian pacer has gone wicketless in the first five games. He has been the most economical of MI’s bowlers, going at 8.63 runs per over, but this is also his worst economy rate since IPL 2016.
Bumrah’s struggles have come to symbolise the crisis MI finds itself in during the early part of IPL 2026.
Skipper Hardik acknowledged the gravity of the situation after his side conceded a seven-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings at home.
“To be honest, I don’t have much to say. We need to go back and see where we’re lacking – if it’s individuals, groups or planning and work it out. We need to see if we need to make difficult calls or see if we continue and turn things around. Ownership has to be taken,” said Hardik.
Once again, MI has painted itself into a tricky corner, with a playoff spot looking increasingly distant. But if there is any team well-versed in rebounding from such situations, it is MI. If Hardik’s words are to provoke a reaction, the defeat to PBKS could yet prove to be a turning point in IPL 2026.
Published on Apr 20, 2026
A poor start to an IPL season is nothing out of the ordinary for Mumbai…
Sports news
#IPL #lot #rethink #Hardik #Pandya #suffers #consecutive #defeat">IPL 2026: ‘A lot of things need a rethink,’ says Hardik Pandya after MI suffers third consecutive defeat
Mumbai Indians needs a major rethink after suffering a third consecutive defeat in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday, said captain Hardik Pandya.
Mumbai lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 18 runs at the Wankhede Stadium, leaving the five-time champion eighth in the 10-team table with just two points from four matches.
Despite boasting several Twenty20 World Cup-winning players—including Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Tilak Varma—Mumbai has struggled to generate any momentum.
ALSO READ | Bumrah’s wicket-less run an unpleasant confrontation for MI
“A lot of things need a rethink. But we have to see other options we can have, with the bat and the ball,” Pandya said at the post-match presentation.
“We need to still bat and bowl well. If you do that, irrespective of the toss (we should be fine).”
Mumbai’s struggles have been most evident in the PowerPlay.
The lack of early wickets and limited support for Bumrah has raised concerns about the bowling attack, with opponents able to see off the India pacer before targeting the rest.
“Last couple of games, as a bowling and batting unit, we have been catching up. Really need to reflect on what best we can do… and how to get some momentum in the PowerPlay,” Pandya said.
Suryakumar, batting at number three, is not firing on all cylinders while Varma’s failures have put more pressure on the batting unit.
Pandya could look at moving Naman Dhir up the batting order to inject intent early, while England all-rounder Will Jacks may offer better balance in place of Mitchell Santner.
Mumbai next faces Punjab Kings on Thursday, while third-placed RCB meets Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday.
Published on Apr 13, 2026
Mumbai Indians needs a major rethink after suffering a third consecutive defeat in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday, said captain Hardik Pandya.
Mumbai lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 18 runs at the Wankhede Stadium, leaving the five-time champion eighth in the 10-team table with just two points from four matches.
Despite boasting several Twenty20 World Cup-winning players—including Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Tilak Varma—Mumbai has struggled to generate any momentum.
ALSO READ | Bumrah’s wicket-less run an unpleasant confrontation for MI
“A lot of things need a rethink. But we have to see other options we can have, with the bat and the ball,” Pandya said at the post-match presentation.
“We need to still bat and bowl well. If you do that, irrespective of the toss (we should be fine).”
Mumbai’s struggles have been most evident in the PowerPlay.
The lack of early wickets and limited support for Bumrah has raised concerns about the bowling attack, with opponents able to see off the India pacer before targeting the rest.
“Last couple of games, as a bowling and batting unit, we have been catching up. Really need to reflect on what best we can do… and how to get some momentum in the PowerPlay,” Pandya said.
Suryakumar, batting at number three, is not firing on all cylinders while Varma’s failures have put more pressure on the batting unit.
Pandya could look at moving Naman Dhir up the batting order to inject intent early, while England all-rounder Will Jacks may offer better balance in place of Mitchell Santner.
Mumbai next faces Punjab Kings on Thursday, while third-placed RCB meets Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday.
Published on Apr 13, 2026
Mumbai Indians needs a major rethink after suffering a third consecutive defeat in the Indian…
