'He is scared' - K Srikkanth's huge claim on Team India star player after CSK vs MI clash

Kris Srikkanth shared his views on Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma's dismal form in IPL 2026 after the Mumbai Indians lost to the Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets on Saturday, May 2, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Hardik only scored 18 runs off 23 balls in the first innings on a two-paced surface. With the ball, he bowled two overs and conceded 17 runs. Srikkanth lambasted the Baroda all-rounder for not bowling inside the power play and giving the ball to young Krish Bhagat, who got hit for 18 runs.

The former India opener said that Hardik was scared to bowl when the fielding restrictions were in place. About Hardik's efforts with the bat, Srikkanth stated that the Choryasi-born has to deal better with balls that are targeted at his body as bowlers will not bowl to his strong zones.

"Hardik Pandya can't lay bat on ball, and with the ball also, he is scared. He gives Krish Bhagat the ball in the powerplay instead of bowling himself. Teams are smashing Bhagat, yet Hardik is scared to bowl in the powerplay," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

"Hardik Pandya is playing terribly. You are playing as the captain. They had no clue in the middle and end overs. What was Hardik Pandya even trying to do? It was hard to understand. Hereafter, no one will feed balls on a length for Hardik. They'll only bowl into the body and tuck him up. Teams are completely locking him up," he added.

He is playing so ordinarily: Kris Srikkanth slams Tilak Varma

Srikkanth slammed Tilak Varma, who got out for five runs off eight balls on Saturday. The 1983 World Cup winner mentioned that Tilak has struggled in every game except for the one against the Gujarat Titans, where he scored an unbeaten 101 off 45 balls.

"Tilak Varma then ate ball after ball and that's where the pressure started. He is playing so ordinarily. Barring that one century, he has struggled big time this season. One sunny day doesn't make a summer. Likewise, just one good knock won't do. He should be dropped. He is batting horribly. They must bring some new batter instead," said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).