Fans Record Owner Akash Ambani Walking Off Midway Through MI’s Batting Collapse Against CSK 

It was CSK’s biggest IPL triumph in the tournament's history, with the Men in Yellow having won in five of their previous six encounters against MI.

Fans Record Owner Akash Ambani Walking Off Midway Through MI’s Batting Collapse Against CSK 

Akash Ambani departed midway through MI's IPL 2026 clash against CSK. (via MSN)

In Short
  • Mumbai Indians suffered a 103-run defeat to Chennai Super Kings, marking their heaviest loss in IPL history by runs.
  • Owner Akash Ambani left the stadium midway through MI's batting collapse, raising speculation about his displeasure with the team's performance.
  • MI's use of Shardul Thakur as a concussion substitute for Mitchell Santner sparked controversy over the interpretation of IPL rules regarding player injuries.

The Mumbai Indians had another night to forget, suffering a crushing 103-run loss to the Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium. The defeat was so demoralizing that MI owner Akash Ambani was captured departing the stadium midway through the team’s batting collapse.

The joint-most successful IPL franchise, MI’s 2026 campaign hit a new low with a home loss in the ‘El-Clasico’ against CSK. Mumbai failed to chase down a 208-run target, falling short by a margin of 103 runs. It was not just a loss, but a total collapse that rewrote history books as the team’s heaviest-ever defeat in the tournament history by runs, exceeding their 87-run defeat against RR in 2013.

MI now remain eighth on the table, with two wins from seven games. The scorecard showed the wide gap in performances between the two teams, with MI out of the game as early as the third over of the chase. CSK had piled up a total of 207/6 at the end of the first innings, guided by Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 101 off 54 balls. None of the MI bowlers had a plan for the 31-year-old, who kept going despite wickets falling at the other end. 

MI batters however, had no answer to CSK’s spin-duo of Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad, with the former returning with career-best figures of 4/17. The fallout from this defeat was obvious, with Mumbai Indians’ owner, Akash Ambani, departing the stadium even before the end. While he typically remains in the ground to support his team, he left early, raising speculation that he might be displeased with the team’s disastrous showing.

Videos of Ambani leaving his special seat next to the MI dugout have now gone viral on social media, at a time when the home side lost Suryakumar Yadav in the 14th over, and was precariously placed at 87/7. Akash Ambani walked past the dugout without even making eye contact or interacting with any of the players or coaches.

The defeat also puts Mumbai Indians’ hopes of making it through to the playoffs of IPL 2026 at risk. MI next face Sunrisers Hyderabad at home on April 29, before traveling to Chennai for the return leg of the ‘El-Clasico’ on May 2. 

Concussion controversy: Did MI err by naming Shardul Thakur as Mitchell Santner’s substitute?

While MI’s heavy 103-run defeat to CSK is all over the headlines, a controversy has erupted over the use of a concussion substitute during the game. MI decided to use Shardul Thakur as a replacement for Mitchell Santner, who suffered an injury in the first innings. 

MI concussion substitute
MI used Shardul Thakur as Mitchell Santner’s concussion substitute, leading to a controversy. (via India Today)

The New Zealand all-rounder sustained an injury while diving to complete a catch in the 17th over of Chennai’s innings. He clutched his left shoulder in pain, and was seen putting an ice bag for the same in the dugout later on. While Thakur was introduced as the substitute, a debate erupted over whether the IPL rules allow a player to be replaced even if he has not sustained a head or a neck injury. 

To this, MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene explained that initial prognosis showed that Santner had in fact suffered an injury to his neck as well. The Sri Lankan added that the Kiwi all-rounder also felt dizzy, before stating that the umpires made the final call on the substitution. Moreover, Thakur’s replacement raised questions, given he is right-arm pacer, not like-to-like with Santner, who is a left-arm spinner. 

The substitution anyways, did not help much, with Shardul Thakur only managing to score 6 off 12 during his brief stay on the pitch. He was dismissed by Anshul Kamboj in the 18th over of the chase, and was the ninth wicket to fall for MI.

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