IPL 2026: 'Sometimes it hurts' - Hardik Pandya admits Mumbai Indians haven’t given fans enough to cheer

After suffering yet another loss in IPL 2026 despite posting a mammoth 243 on the board, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya admitted that his team does not have many options this season and once again reiterated the changes that need to be made for the five-time champions to salvage their campaign going forward.

This was Mumbai Indians’ sixth loss of the season, pushing them down to ninth in the points table with only four points in their kitty.

Amid outlining the team’s struggles through the season, Pandya also addressed MI fans, saying the team have not given them much opportunity to back them. While acknowledging their loyalty, Pandya said it sometimes hurts when fans chant for the opposition instead of their own team. However, he was quick to add that it is on the team to give fans reasons to cheer.

‘Not been able to do what exactly Mumbai Indians stands for’

"I think this season we don't have much option, we really need to see what all differences we can make. I won't put my bowlers under the bus. I think as an overall unit, we have not been able to do what exactly Mumbai Indians stands for," said Pandya when asked how he plans to address his bowling attack after failing to defend a strong total.

"We really need to see what all we need to work on," he added.

‘Sometimes it hurts’

"We have not given them much opportunity to back us -- but they have been fantastic and loyal. Sometimes it hurts when the opposition comes and they start chanting their name. But we probably need to give them more (to cheer and shout about)," he said.

The Mumbai Indians skipper said that with continued backing from the franchise owners and support staff, the team will find a way out.

"We have passionate owners and support staff, hopefully we will figure out something."

SRH demolish MI at Wankhede

MI bowlers were taken apart by SRH batters, with none conceding less than 10 runs per over. Notably, the ever-reliable Jasprit Bumrah returned figures of 0/54 in four overs.

Mumbai Indians, powered by a 55-ball unbeaten 123 from Ryan Rickelton, posted 243/5 in 20 overs after electing to bat first. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad, led by Travis Head (76 off 30 balls), Heinrich Klaasen (65* off 30), Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) and Salil Arora (30* off 10), chased down the target with eight balls to spare.