Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya was critical of his team’s poor fielding, especially in their recent IPL 2026 loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 20, 2026. This game was played in Kolkata and saw KKR keep themselves alive in the playoffs race with a 4-wicket win.
Asked to bat first after the match started with a rain delay, MI posted 147/8 with Corbin Bosch top-scoring with 32*, while Hardik Pandya (28) and Tilak Varma (20) also contributed. In response, Manish Pandey with 45 and Rovman Powell with 40 led the way in the chase for KKR as they came out victors.
KKR had lost three quick wickets, and it could’ve been more, but MI let chances slip through their hands, as they dropped two simple chances in two successive overs. Pandya admitted that MI has struggled in the field throughout the season.
“I think throughout the season, we've been quite poor in fielding. I think we have dropped a lot of catches, which obviously no one wants to do. But in that part of the game, I think there is no hiding away. I mean, if you get chances, if you want to win games, you need to grab all the chances, even half chances as well. But yeah, when you drop chances that can change the game, it's always you chasing the game,” Hardik Pandya said in the post-match interview.
Hardik Pandya also called for the pitches in IPL to be fair to both batters and bowlers. He stated that in recent times, the surfaces have been in favor of batters, who are dominating, while bowlers are left frustrated.
“I mean, to be very honest, I don't mind playing on this sort of wicket where bowlers have something to do. I think IPL is becoming quite batting-dominated. Bowlers are feeling helpless. I think today's game kind of gave bowlers something as well from the wicket, which kind of makes them come and bowl some good balls, make batsmen play some good cricket, and score runs. So, I kind of enjoyed it,” Hardik Pandya stated.
MI will next play Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their final league stage game at home in Mumbai on May 24.
“Yeah, absolutely. So, it's an ESA game. It's for the children. We just want to make sure that we come and get a smile on those 25,000 kids and let them come and watch us play, and we entertain them and make them happy. I think it will be lifetime memories for them,” he added.
(ANI inputs)
