Hardik Pandya Faces Criticism as Mumbai Indians Struggle in IPL
‘Nobody has turned up’: Hardik Pandya ‘had to deal with quite a bit’ at Mumbai Indians, blaming him ‘quite unfair’
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Hardik Pandya, captain of the Mumbai Indians, has faced intense scrutiny following a challenging IPL season. After a disappointing 2024 and a slight improvement in 2025, the team struggled again in 2026, winning only 2 out of 9 matches under his leadership. Former teammate Ravichandran Ashwin argues that blaming Pandya alone for the team's failures is unfair, citing broader issues within the squad.
- 01Hardik Pandya's Mumbai Indians finished last in the 2024 IPL season with only 4 wins.
- 02In 2025, MI qualified for the playoffs but were eliminated by the Punjab Kings.
- 03Pandya won just 2 of 9 matches he captained in 2026, while the team won twice under other leaders.
- 04Ravichandran Ashwin defended Pandya, stating it's unfair to solely blame him for the team's struggles.
- 05The MI bowling department has significantly underperformed, contributing to the team's poor results.
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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.
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The performance of the Mumbai Indians affects fans and stakeholders, including sponsors and local businesses that benefit from the team's success.
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