Hardik Pandya, the captain of the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been under fire for the team's poor performance in recent seasons. After a disappointing 2024 season where MI finished at the bottom with only 4 wins, Pandya's leadership showed some promise in 2025 when the team reached the playoffs, only to be knocked out by the Punjab Kings. However, the situation deteriorated further in 2026, with MI winning only 2 out of 9 matches under his captaincy. Former teammate Ravichandran Ashwin has come to Pandya's defense, stating that it is unfair to place the blame solely on him for the team's struggles, emphasizing that the entire squad has failed to perform. Ashwin noted that Pandya had previously led the Gujarat Titans to success, which highlights his capabilities as a leader. He acknowledged the immense pressure Pandya faces replacing the highly successful Rohit Sharma, who led MI to five IPL titles. The team's bowling unit has also been criticized for leaking runs and failing to deliver consistent performances. Despite the challenges, Ashwin believes that with the right support and a change in momentum, Pandya can still revive his tenure with MI.