Hardik Pandya turns focus to Maheika, son Agastya after Mumbai Indians suffer record IPL defeat to Chennai Super Kings

It’s been a tough run for Hardik Pandya, with little going right for the star all-rounder in the Indian Premier League 2026 season. His team, Mumbai Indians, are struggling to find momentum, and the 32-year-old has also endured a dip in form.

The five-time champions hit a new low on Thursday at the Wankhede Stadium, where Chennai Super Kings handed them a crushing 103-run defeat to climb to fifth in the standings. Mumbai, meanwhile, sit eighth and now face a must-win situation — needing at least six victories from their remaining seven matches to keep playoff hopes alive.

Despite the setback, Hardik had a tender off-field moment that caught attention. After the match, cameras showed him gesturing towards his son, Agastya, and partner Maheika Sharma in the stands, signalling for the young boy to go to sleep given the late finish past 11 PM IST. He first made the gesture from the dressing room and repeated it on the field during post-match handshakes and interviews — a reminder of his role as a doting father even on a difficult night.

Forgettable outing against CSK

Hardik’s performance mirrored Mumbai’s struggles. With the ball, he conceded 38 runs in just two overs. With the bat, he lasted only two deliveries, scoring a single run before being dismissed.

A below-par season so far

Across six matches this season, Hardik has scored just 97 runs, with a top score of 40 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His bowling returns have been equally underwhelming — three wickets at an expensive economy rate of 12.67.

He also missed the clash against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium due to illness, with Suryakumar Yadav stepping in as captain.

Team backing remains firm

Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene backed his captain, insisting individual performances are not the primary concern. He pointed to broader issues such as lack of consistency with both bat and ball, and the inability to pick up early wickets as key factors behind the team’s struggles.

Mumbai now have a week-long break before their next fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 29. There is some good news, however, with Rohit Sharma expected to return to fitness after missing three matches.

With time running out, Mumbai Indians will need a swift turnaround if they are to revive their campaign and push for a playoff spot.