Mumbai Indians (MI) are all set to conduct a strong review, as hinted at by the captain, Hardik Pandya, after their heavy loss to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2026 on April 23. MI’s 103-run loss to CSK exposed some serious issues in the team, and Aakash Chopra questioned Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya’s form.
Suryakumar Yadav is known for his attacking style, but this season, India’s T20I captain has been struggling to make an impact for the Mumbai Indians. In seven innings, the right-handed batter has scored 157 runs with just one fifty at a poor average of over 22 and a strike rate of nearly 143.
Aakash Chopra questions the form of Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya in IPL 2026
And the most shocking thing is that Suryakumar has hit only four sixes so far. These numbers do not match his calibre. Even when the Mumbai Indians were chasing a massive 208, Suryakumar scored 35 runs from 30 balls. He failed to pressure back on the CSK bowlers.
He also got out while trying to attack a spinner, and this has now become a trend this season. And Chopra feels Suryakumar’s dismal performances with the bat and repeated mistakes are not helping the five-time champions at all in the ongoing IPL 2026.
Aakash Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel, “Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya haven’t scored runs at all. Suryakumar Yadav has played seven knocks. He has gotten out thrice while sweeping the spinners.”
Aakash Chopra questions Hardik Pandya’s decisions vs CSK
At the same time, MI captain Hardik Pandya is also struggling badly in the tournament. The Indian all-rounder has scored just 97 runs in six matches at an average of under 20 and a strike rate of just 140. He was also a flop with the ball, taking only three wickets at an economy rate of around 13.
Even against CSK, Hardik gave away 38 runs in just two overs and did not bowl again after that. And the commentator questioned the MI captain’s call to hand the ball to young bowler Krish Bhagat for the final over against CSK at the Wankhede Stadium.
Chopra added, “Hardik, why did you not bowl the last over? I understand that you were hit and had conceded 38 runs in two overs, but Krish Bhagat had also conceded 15 runs in the one over you bowled him. It was just his second match. You made him bowl the 20th over. He conceded 16 runs, but the point is not that. The point is that it was the wrong choice. The captain will have to shoulder a little responsibility, which was disappointing.”
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Team will not function with three people: Aakash Chopra
The former Indian batter has pointed out that MI’s main problem is that their big players like Suryakumar and Hardik are not performing, which makes it very difficult for others to cover up for them, and the pressure keeps increasing, and they are failing to win matches this season.
Chopra signed off by saying, “Captain Hardik Pandya has scored 97 runs in six matches. He has a strike rate of 141, and his top score is 40. He has picked up only three wickets and has an economy of nearly 13. This cannot be Hardik Pandya’s performance. If neither of them scores runs, forget about Tilak Varma, Quinton de Kock, or Naman Dhir scoring runs. The team will not function with three people.”
