Hardik Pandya used the dressing room after Mumbai Indians’ defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru to ask his players for unity and a focus on learning rather than dwelling on the result.
The captain’s message
Pandya echoed head coach Mahela Jayawardene’s thinking, encouraging the group to reflect together, improve and come back stronger. He stressed that players should not retreat into themselves after a loss. Instead, he wanted them to spend time as a group and work out solutions collectively.
A run of defeats
MI opened their season with a win over Kolkata Knight Riders but have since lost to Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals and now RCB. Those results have dropped the five-time champions to eighth place.
Against Bengaluru they were chasing from the outset after RCB made 240. Sherfane Rutherford hit an unbeaten 71 in reply, but the home side could not close the gap.
What comes next
Mumbai now have little time to regroup. They face an in-form Punjab Kings in Match 24, again at the Wankhede Stadium, on April 16.
