Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah had a small lapse in understanding during the Mumbai Indians’ (MI) game against the Punjab Kings (PBKS), which left Rohit Sharma looking frustrated in the dugout.
MI are not having the best of times in the IPL this season. Their defeat to PBKS on Thursday at the Wankhede Stadium was their fourth consecutive loss, which sees them languish in ninth spot in the points table.
The five-time champions, however, also had a tough moment on the field. Whilst bowling his over, Hardik was seen adjusting the field and asked Bumrah to move to a new position. The fast bowler initially did not look too convinced by the decision, only to back down and listen to his captain following an animated gesture. The cameras immediately turned to Rohit, who was sitting in the dugout, where he looked visibly frustrated by the on-field antics.
The full episode of the on-field confrontation can be seen below:
इसकी कप्तानी और एटीट्यूड से आईपीएल मे मुंबई इंडियंस टीम बस एक कोलकाता से आगे है,9 वें नंबर पर… pic.twitter.com/bsH7LS0tHj
— Dinesh Dangi (@dineshdangi84) April 16, 2026
Rohit missed the game against PBKS after sustaining a hamstring injury during MI’s last game against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Hardik’s side suffered a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of PBKS, with the visitors chasing down 196 with more than three overs to spare.
The form of some of their senior players is also a worry for MI going forward this season. Bumrah, who came into the tournament as the joint-highest wicket-taker at the T20 World Cup, is yet to pick up a single wicket in the 2026 IPL after the first five games. The 32-year-old has bowled 19 overs in the tournament so far and has gone at an economy rate of 8.63, the highest since the 2015 edition of the 20-over competition.
Hardik, on the other hand, has scored just 81 runs from four games this season, whilst taking only two wickets. The MI captain has faced a lot of criticism lately, with his side already seven points behind the table-topping PBKS side.
