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Akash Ambani Fumes In Anger After Hardik Pandya’s Gutsy Gamble In Final Over Of Chase

Soumyajit Dutta

Akash Ambani and Hardik Pandya [Source: @Gill_Iss/X]Akash Ambani and Hardik Pandya [Source: @Gill_Iss/X]

Mumbai Indians’ turbulent IPL 2025 campaign hit another snag as skipper Hardik Pandya’s bold yet polarising decisions during their 12-run loss to Lucknow Super Giants sparked visible frustration from owner Akash Ambani. 

Despite Pandya’s historic 5/36 – the first five-wicket haul by a captain in IPL history – MI faltered chasing 204, their third away defeat this season. The drama peaked in the final over when Hardik Pandya, needing 22 off six balls, refused singles to retain strike, leaving Ambani fuming in the stands.

Akash Ambani Gets Angry At Hardik's Action During MI's Chase

The dugout of Mumbai Indians was tensed as was seen on the face of co-owner Akash Ambani who was fuming at the actions of Hardik Pandya. A possible rift might be cooking as reactions say the same when cameras captured Ambani's face.

The loss compounded MI’s woes, leaving them with just one win in four games. Earlier, LSG rode Mitchell Marsh’s 31-ball 60 and Aiden Markram’s fifty to post 203/8. 

While Pandya’s bowling heroics and cameos from Naman Dhir (38) and Suryakumar Yadav (44) kept MI in the hunt, tactical calls like retiring out Tilak Varma (25 off 23) for Mitchell Santner backfired. The final-over drama, however, overshadowed all else, reigniting debates over Pandya’s leadership choices.

Mumbai Need Major Turnaround

Hardik Pandya, however, defended his call. “We win as a team. We lose as a team. Don’t want to point someone out. The ownership has to be taken by the whole batting unit. I take full ownership. It was obvious—we needed some hits. In cricket, some of those days come," said Pandya.

While Pandya’s bowling masterclass – including the key wickets of Marsh, Pooran, and Miller – offered hope, MI’s batting inconsistencies persist. LSG, meanwhile, solidified their position on the points table with two wins out of their 4 games, powered by Markram’s anchoring 53.