IPL 2026 | 'We've been quite poor': Hardik Pandya's blunt verdict on Mumbai Indians' IPL campaign
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya expressed frustration over his team's poor fielding, a key factor in their loss to Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite opportunities, dropped catches proved costly. Pandya also felt the batting lineup was about 20 runs short of a competitive total.
KKR's win keeps their playoff hopes alive.
NEW DELHI: The dejection on captain Hardik Pandya’s face was clearly visible, with sloppy fielding proving to be one of the key reasons behind Mumbai Indians’ defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Wednesday. After MI posted 147/8 in 20 overs, they had a few opportunities in the field but failed to capitalise on them. Frustration peaked in the 10th over when KKR’s Rovman Powell top-edged a pull shot off Hardik Pandya.
Deepak Chahar at fine leg appeared set to take the catch but left it for Robin Minz coming in from deep square leg, and the ball eventually landed safely between the two fielders. “(What was going on in the field? ) I don't know.
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 it. But in that part of the game, I think there is no hiding away,” Pandya said after the match.