Former India captain Kris Srikkanth did not hold back in his criticism of Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar, stating that the two bowlers do not deserve to be part of the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026. In a forthright comment, Srikkanth urged the Mumbai Indians management to pay the two cricketers and ask them to stay away from the squad for the remainder of the season.
Srikkanth’s sharp assessment came after Mumbai Indians lost to Punjab Kings at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, April 16. Mumbai Indians posted 195 in 20 overs, a below-par total on a good batting pitch. On a dewy evening, Punjab Kings made light work of the chase, reaching the target in just 16.2 overs.
Despite knowing Punjab Kings openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyash Arya were in fine form, Mumbai did not open the bowling with Jasprit Bumrah. Instead, Deepak Chahar, who opened the bowling, conceded 21 runs, setting a poor tone for their defence. Prabhsimran attacked the bowling, scoring 80 off 39 balls. He was joined by captain Shreyas Iyer, who was in complete control with his 35-ball 66.
While Jasprit Bumrah, under pressure, went wicketless and conceded 41 runs in four overs, Shardul and Deepak gave away 87 runs between them in just 5.3 overs. The two were hit to all parts of the ground, and captain Hardik Pandya had no choice but to not utilise their full quota of four overs.
“I don’t know how MI are playing Deepak Chahar in the XI. I don’t know why they retained him. First over, he gave away 21 runs. In the previous match, it was 22 runs. 2.3 overs, 45 runs,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube show.
“Our sir, Shardul Thakur. 3 overs, 42 runs. Combined, they bowled 5.3 overs and 87 runs.
“How can you win a match if two of your important bowlers are giving away 87 runs in 5.3 overs? How can you play both of them in the XI? I asked that question in the pre-match show? Are you saying they don’t have any good bowling options?
“Send them home. Pay them their money and request them not to return this season. Tell them if they are needed, they will be called. Yes, you can do this. It’s not wrong,” he stated.
GIVE BUMRAH A BREAK
The former chairman of the selection committee also criticised Mumbai Indians for not resting Jasprit Bumrah at the start of the season, especially after the pace spearhead entered the IPL 2026 season following a busy T20 World Cup campaign. Bumrah has gone wicketless in five matches and was heavily punished by Punjab Kings, conceding 41 runs in four overs without taking a wicket.
“Five matches wicketless. He got hit also. He needs a mental break and physical break. He gave his life and was at the peak of his prowess in the T20 World Cup. He was in the running for the Player of the Tournament award. They are now overburdening him,” Srikkanth commented. “I don’t understand how I rated this bowling attack 9.5 at the start of the season. Even if they had scored 500, the opposition would have chased it. That’s how bad their bowling attack is,” he added.
Having lost four consecutively, Mumbai Indians will face Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Monday.
