Hardik Pandya is facing intense scrutiny as Mumbai Indians endure a troubling slump, marked by four consecutive losses in the ongoing IPL 2026. This period has been particularly demanding for Hardik Pandya, as he struggles to find his rhythm as an individual performer while simultaneously failing to secure the results needed to steady the team’s campaign.
It's about managing things in a better manner: Pathan on Pandya's captaincy
The franchise’s drought since their last IPL title in 2020 prompted a dramatic leadership overhaul, which saw the legendary Rohit Sharma replaced by Pandya upon his return to the side. However, the transition has been far from seamless; inheriting the mantle from a five-time champion captain brought immense expectations that the team has yet to meet. With the season slipping away, Pandya finds himself under a mountain of pressure to reverse MI's fortunes before their playoff hopes fade entirely.
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Adding to the tension, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has offered a candid critique of the skipper’s current form. Pathan expressed significant concern regarding Pandya’s lack of impact with both the bat and the ball, noting that the physical and mental toll of the leadership role seems to be showing. According to Pathan, the key for Pandya moving forward will be his ability to maintain composure and manage high-stakes moments with greater tactical precision.
"It is also about managing things in a better manner. Hardik's batting average since 2024 is in the early 20s. We expect better from him. He needs to do better in the powerplay in bowling too. Things became easier in this match as Allah Ghazanfar picked up wickets. But he is looking very worried when there is pressure," Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
'They need to improve their bowling unit'
Pathan also talked about the concerning state of MI's bowling unit, which has struggled to provide the necessary breakthroughs during their recent slump. He pointed specifically to the underwhelming contributions of Pandya, Shardul Thakur, and Deepak Chahar, noting that their sub-standard performances have left the attack looking depleted and ineffective. This collective failure has placed an unprecedented burden on Jasprit Bumrah. As the spearhead of the attack, Bumrah is facing mounting pressure to deliver, a situation made even more stressful by the fact that he has yet to record a single wicket this season. Without support from his fellow seamers, the maestro finds himself in the difficult position of trying to carry a struggling defensive unit.
"Out of the five bowlers, Shardul Thakur and Hardik Pandya are all-rounders, and Deepak Chahar is not taking wickets. They are left with just two bowlers then. How will you take wickets with just two bowlers? They need to improve their bowling unit and play a proper wicket-taker," Pathan added.