![IPL 2025 [WATCH]: Mumbai Indians owner Akash Ambani and Hardik Pandya’s playful antics with robot dog ‘Champak’](https://crickettimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/MI-owner-Akash-Ambani-and-Hardik-Pandyas-playful-antics-with-robot-dog-Champak.webp "IPL 2025 [WATCH]: Mumbai Indians owner Akash Ambani and Hardik Pandya’s playful antics with robot dog ‘Champak’")
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The Wankhede crowd was treated to a complete spectacle on Sunday night of IPL 2025, as Mumbai Indians (MI) not only crushed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 9 wickets but also delivered post-match entertainment courtesy of skipper Hardik Pandya and MI owner Akash Ambani.
Winning the toss and opting to bowl first, MI restricted CSK to 176/5 in their 20 overs, thanks to stellar bowling from Jasprit Bumrah (2/25) and Mitchell Santner (1/14). CSK’s innings was held together by Ravindra Jadeja (53* off 35) and Shivam Dube (50 off 32), with Ayush Mhatre contributing a blistering 32 off 15.
However, Mumbai chased down the target with ridiculous ease. Rohit Sharma (76* off 45) and Suryakumar Yadav (68* off 30) turned the game into a batting masterclass, wrapping up the chase in just 15.4 overs at a run rate of 11.29. The only wicket to fall was Ryan Rickelton, who departed after a quick 24. While the on-field fireworks were enough to delight fans, it was the off-field fun that truly lit up social media.
Hardik Pandya plays a hilarious prank on Akash Ambani
As the players and staff celebrated MI’s emphatic win, Pandya found a new teammate to have fun with—Champak. In a clip, Pandya can be seen controlling the robot dog using a handheld remote. What started as playful interaction quickly escalated into hilarity when Hardik directed Champak to jump toward Akash.
The MI owner, unsuspecting and clearly not ready for a robotic ambush, let out a startled yelp and took a few swift steps back, prompting laughter from everyone around. Hardik burst out laughing as Akash recovered from the shock, playfully swatting at Pandya.
Here’s the video:
Hardik Pandya playing with CHAMPAK after the match with CSK
– Although it is controlled by remote, but looks cute
– IPL adds something entertaining every season
– Most funny it scared Akash Ambani 😛pic.twitter.com/6hYOpPv6uc— cricFusion Aashi (@cricket_x_Ashi) April 21, 2025
Also READ: Fans go wild as Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav guide MI to a thumping win over CSK in IPL 2025
IPL’s first robot dog named Champak
Post-match, the attention shifted from bat and ball to something rather unexpected—Champak, the robot dog introduced in IPL 2025 as part of the league’s new tech-forward broadcasting experience. After making brief appearances earlier in the tournament, the mechanical canine was officially christened “Champak” just hours before the MI vs CSK clash.
The robot, with its slick design and interactive capabilities, has already made its presence felt on the sidelines, capturing content, interacting with players, and offering fans a whole new dimension of digital engagement.
