MI vs CSK: Hardik Pandya’s IPL 2026 Struggles Draw Sharp Criticism After Sanju Samson’s Wankhede Masterclass
MI vs CSK: Hardik Pandya’s IPL 2026 campaign sits in a genuinely troubling situation, and former Mumbai Indians pacer Mitchell McClenaghan made that crystal clear in his interaction with ESPNcricinfo following CSK’s crushing 103-run victory at the Wankhede Stadium on 23 April.
McClenaghan pointed out that Sanju Samson simply lined Hardik up from the start, and that Pandya’s decision to introduce a lesser-known bowler in the death overs possibly stemmed from the confidence knock he took after leaking runs in his opening spell. The observation cuts right to the heart of why questions about Pandya’s form grow louder with each passing game.
“I think Sanju just lined up Hardik initially. So, obviously, that’s also a confidence thing, maybe. The fact that Sanju is well-set, and he is going to be facing Hardik Pandya in the death overs. Maybe Hardik felt that a new bowler, a different style, lesser known, maybe he would try,” claimed McClenaghan.
What happened to Hardik Pandya in the MI vs CSK IPL 2026 game?
Samson targeted the MI pace attack ferociously in the power play, hitting three fours and a six off Hardik Pandya in the fourth over alone. By the time the innings concluded, Samson stood unbeaten on 101 off 54 balls, an innings adorned with 10 crisp boundaries and six towering sixes, carrying CSK to 207 for 6. Pandya conceded 38 runs across just two overs, a figure that speaks volumes about how badly this particular battle went against him.
The all-rounder’s numbers across IPL 2026 reinforce the concern rather than ease it. He has accumulated only 97 runs in six innings at an average of 19.40, striking at around 140.58, with his best contribution being 40 off 22 balls in the loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. With the ball, he has taken three wickets at a painful economy rate of 12.67, a stat that simply does not hold up for a frontline seamer of his calibre and price tag.
MI brought Bumrah in for a second powerplay over, a move that reflected the desperation in their bowling unit after Pandya’s early punishment. Furthermore, Noor Ahmad removed both Pandya and Sherfane Rutherford in the same over as MI’s chase crumbled to 104 all out, deepening a miserable evening for the skipper.
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As MI look ahead with pressure building from all sides, Pandya must find both his rhythm and authority fast. His legacy, built through years of match-winning performances, now demands an urgent, convincing response.
