Mumbai: Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya cut a dejected figure after his side suffered a third consecutive defeat in IPL 2026, going down to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 18 runs at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.MI, chasing a massive 241-run target, were always under pressure after RCB posted a huge 240/4, powered by half-centuries from Phil Salt, Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar. Despite a strong start from Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton, Mumbai never truly took control of the chase and eventually finished on 222/5, with Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten 71 being the lone standout effort.In the dressing room after the match, Hardik addressed the squad alongside head coach Mahela Jayawardene and urged the players to respond collectively to the setback rather than isolate themselves.He said, “Thinking from what MJ said, I think here there are two options we can do. One is go back in our rooms, go back into our cocoon spaces and try to figure it out. I know it’s tough losing but let’s learn… let’s not get disappeared. But let’s learn. It’s always winning and learning, never losing. So let’s do that. That’s something which tonight after the game, once we go back to hotel, let’s have a meal together, we’ll talk about cricket. We’ll talk about something else but we’ll figure it out,” Hardik said in the dressing room.Reflecting on the defeat, Hardik admitted that MI have struggled to control games in recent outings, often finding themselves chasing matches rather than dictating terms.After the match, he said, “I think we conceded way too many runs. I think that (241-run target) was always going to be catch-up. I think in the last couple of games, as a bowling unit or even as a batting unit, we’ve been quite catching up in the game rather than leading the game. We really need to reflect, really need to see what best we can do and how we can get that momentum and that click which we require.We have a couple of days off from here and we will play again. (bat second the way to go here?) To be very honest, now a lot of things needs to be rethink. Definitely, it’s not working. Couple of games we have won the toss, but maybe we need to see what other options we have as a batting group or bowling group. Looking at the kind of wicket it’s playing, if we can bat as well, that would be good. We still need to play cricket, we still need to bat well, we still need to bowl well,” Hardik said.With MI slipping to a 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.

From left, MI’s Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma and RCB’s Virat Kohli and Phil Salt. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: A clash featuring two of India’s modern-day greats rarely disappoints, and Sunday’s IPL 2026 showdown at the Wankhede Stadium delivered a moment fans will cherish beyond the result.As Virat Kohli walked out to bat, fully focused with his bat resting on his shoulder, he was called over by Rohit Sharma from the field. What followed was a brief yet heartwarming interaction between the two icons — a quick meet-and-greet that instantly went viral, drawing admiration across social media.The gesture, filled with mutual respect and camaraderie, became one of the standout moments of the match, reminding fans of the bond shared by two legends who have defined an era of Indian cricket.WATCH:Injury concerns for Kohli and RohitBoth stalwarts made their presence felt in the contest. Kohli anchored Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s innings with a composed 50 off 38 balls, while Rohit looked fluent during his 19 off 13 balls before being forced to retire hurt due to a hamstring issue.In a twist of symmetry, Kohli too did not take the field during MI’s chase after sustaining an ankle concern, adding a layer of worry for both teams despite the high-profile clash living up to expectations.Salt, Patidar power RCB to massive totalRCB’s batting dominance was led by Phil Salt, who smashed a blistering 78 off 36 balls, sharing a 120-run opening stand with Kohli. Skipper Rajat Patidar then took over, hammering 53 off just 20 balls, while Tim David finished strongly with an unbeaten 34.“The way Virat and Salt started the innings, I think that kept us in the driving seat… it was a pure team effort,” Patidar said after the match.RCB piled up a formidable 240/4, putting MI under immediate pressure.MI fall short despite late fightMI’s chase began brightly but lost momentum after Rohit’s early exit. Suyash Sharma struck crucial blows, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) tried to revive hopes.“I think… we’ve been catching up in the game rather than leading the game,” Pandya admitted.A late unbeaten 71 from Sherfane Rutherford, including four sixes in the final over, wasn’t enough as MI finished on 222/5.

Hardik Pandya and Rajat Patidar (Image credit: Mumbai Indians)

NEW DELHI: Fans were eagerly awaiting the mouth-watering IPL 2026 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. Apart from the high-profile contest, the spotlight was also on the much-anticipated face-off between batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, known for their long-standing friendship.When the teams took the field, players from both sides were seen wearing black armbands.Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya walked out for the toss wearing a black armband and won it, opting to field against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.