Former India Selector Criticizes Hardik Pandya’s Leadership in IPL 2026
Krishnamachari Srikkanth, a former India selector, has voiced strong disapproval of Hardik Pandya’s leadership during the ongoing IPL 2026 season. The Mumbai Indians, who are currently sitting in ninth position on the points table, have effectively been eliminated from playoff contention. Srikkanth’s comments come in the wake of the team’s recent defeat against the Chennai Super Kings in Chennai.
Batting and Captaincy Under Scrutiny
In the match against the Chennai Super Kings, Hardik Pandya chose to bat first after winning the toss. However, this decision did not yield positive results for the Mumbai Indians. Although they started well, their middle-order batsmen failed to maintain momentum. Pandya himself struggled with the bat, scoring just 18 runs off 23 balls, which hindered the team’s progress. The Mumbai Indians managed to score 159 for 7 in 20 overs, which proved insufficient to challenge the opposition.
Chennai Super Kings successfully chased the target and secured an eight-wicket victory. Their win was largely attributed to Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kartik Sharma, who both scored half-centuries. Pandya’s performance in both batting and bowling was underwhelming, further highlighting his struggles as a leader.
“He is a Plastic Captain” – Srikkanth’s Comments
Srikkanth took to his YouTube channel to express doubts about Hardik Pandya’s ability to manage the middle overs effectively. He criticized Pandya’s performance, stating:
“Look at the numbers — 18 runs off 23 balls. What is this? He is a plastic captain. Look at that partnership — what was the intent? What was Hardik Pandya trying to do? If you check the number of dot balls in the middle overs, it’s clear there was no proper calculation or game awareness. The run-rate dropped very drastically during that phase.”
He added:
“From around the 6th or 7th over, they started at about 9 runs per over, but then it went down — 7, 7, one over of 13, then 10, then 6. After that, 5, 4, 3, 7, 4 that’s where they lost it completely between overs 12 to 16. Even towards the end, it was just 7 runs and 4 runs while Hardik was still batting. Honestly, I couldn’t understand what they were trying to do. What was the plan?”
Srikkanth also pointed out that bowlers now understand how to restrict Pandya by avoiding certain areas of the pitch. He said:
“They won’t bowl in the slot again. They will lock him down. They knew if they bowl length, he will smash them. So, they won’t bowl there.”
Mumbai Indians Struggling as a Team
Pandya is not the only player facing difficulties. The Mumbai Indians have several key players who have underperformed this season. Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma have all failed to meet expectations. Additionally, the team faces challenges due to Rohit Sharma’s absence caused by injury.
Pandya’s statistics reflect his struggles. In 8 matches, he has scored 146 runs at a strike rate of 136 and an average of 20. His highest score is 40. He has taken 4 wickets, but his bowling economy rate is close to 12.
Looking Ahead
The Mumbai Indians will face the Lucknow Super Giants on May 4 in their next match. While the team aims to finish the season on a positive note, their chances of making the playoffs appear slim. With the pressure on Pandya to deliver, the upcoming games will be crucial for the team’s morale and future prospects.
