Mumbai Indians The captain Hardik Pandya I cut a disappointing figure after my team suffered a third straight defeat. IPL 2026, beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 18 runs at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.MI, chasing a mammoth target of 241 runs, were always under pressure after a massive score of 240/4 thanks to half-centuries from RCB. Full salt, Virat Kohli And Rajat Patidar. Despite a strong start from Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton, Mumbai never controlled the chase and eventually ended at 222/5, Sherfin Rutherford’s unbeaten 71 being the only outstanding effort.After the match, Hardik addressed the squad along with the head coach in the dressing room. Mahila Jayawardene And urged the players to respond collectively to the setback rather than isolating themselves.“Thinking back to what MJ said, I think there are two options that we can do. One is to go back to our rooms, go back to our cocoon space and try to figure it out. I know it’s hard to lose but let’s learn…let’s not disappear. But let’s learn. It is always winning and learning, never losing. So let’s do it. That’s something that after the game tonight, once we go back to the hotel, let’s have dinner together, we’ll talk about cricket. We will talk about something else but we will figure it out,” Hardik said in the dressing room.Reflecting on the loss, Hardik admitted that MI have struggled to control games in recent outings, often finding themselves chasing conditions rather than chasing matches.After the match, he said, “I think we conceded too many runs. I think (the 241-run target) was always going to be a catch-up. I think in the last two games, as a bowling unit or a batting unit, we’ve been pretty much holding back rather than leading the game. We really need to think, really see how best we can seize the moment and click.We have a few days off from here and we will play again. (Another way to go here?) To be very honest, a lot of things need to be rethought now. Sure enough, it’s not working. In some games we have won the toss, but maybe we have to see what other options we have as a batting group or a bowling group. Given the way the wicket is playing, it would be good if we can bat as well. We still need to play cricket, we still need to bat well, we still need to bowl well,” said Hardik.With MI’s third straight defeat, the skipper stressed the need for introspection and possible tactical changes as the franchise looks to halt its slide in the tournament.
