“Are you playing for the Fair Play Award?”

Former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth slammed the Mumbai Indians (MI) for their lapses against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) opener Travis Head in the IPL 2026 clash on April 29. Chasing a massive 244 for victory, the Orange Army got off to a spectacular start at 92/0 in the powerplay.

Yet, the MI bowlers and fielders did not help themselves, dropping Head multiple times and failing to appeal for a clear caught-behind. He pounced on the reprieves, scoring a match-winning 76 off 30 deliveries.

Talking about the missed opportunities early in Travis Head’s innings, Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel (5:40):

“They dropped Travis Head thrice. He was not getting his timing initially. Why is Naman Dhir coming in from the boundary on such a small ground? He had to stay put and take the catch. All were easy catches, and the match was over if he had taken them. How are you not appealing for a clear caught behind? Are you playing for the Fair Play award?”

He continued:

“Travis Head was in a different zone after these chances. Abhishek Sharma was the one who gave the real impetus. Then Travis Head showed his big-match temperament and batted MI out of the contest.”

Head and Abhishek Sharma added 129 runs off 52 deliveries for the opening wicket, before Heinrich Klaasen smashed an unbeaten 65 off 30 to help SRH complete a thrilling run-chase in the 19th over.

“The opening partnership finished the game” – Kris Srikkanth

Kris Srikkanth believes the explosive century opening stand between Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma sealed MI’s fate in the all-important clash. While Head scored 76, Abhishek continued his outstanding form with 45 off 24 balls.

“The MI bowlers fed the SRH openers with so many outside off-stump deliveries. With Boult and Bumrah, you can’t be giving up 129 off 52 to the opening partnership. That itself sealed the game. The opening partnership finished the game. MI bowled poorly and not to a plan at all. They just fed to SRH’s strengths,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).

He continued:

“I don’t know why they gave Ashwani Kumar a second over after his first over went for 20 runs. He just fed Klaasen initially. They should have given Will Jacks a second over the moment Allah Ghazanfar got two wickets. Just because two right-handers were there doesn’t mean Jacks should not bowl. After the powerplay, he wouldn’t have given so many runs.”

The SRH loss was MI’s sixth in eight outings this season, leaving them reeling at ninth on the points table.