Hardik Pandya led MI to IPL 2025 playoffs after a dismal campaign last year.
Once reeling at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table, Mumbai Indians (MI) staged a brilliant comeback with seven wins in eight matches to qualify for the playoffs.
On Wednesday (May 21), MI hammered Delhi Capitals (DC) by 59 runs at the Wankhede Stadium to join Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings in the last-four stage.
MI’s remarkable resurgence has been particularly special for their skipper Hardik Pandya, who endured a tough time last season.
Ahead of the IPL 2024 edition, Hardik left the Gujarat Titans (GT) in a sensational all-cash deal to join MI. He was also handed the captaincy by the franchise management, replacing Rohit Sharma.
This decision, however, wasn’t well received by a section of Mumbai fans, who heckled the all-rounder throughout the tournament in different venues. Under his leadership, the five-time champions finished at the bottom of the table, winning only four out of 14 league matches.
After an extraordinary redemption in the ongoing season, Hardik Pandya drew rich praise from the fans and experts, including former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja.
Jadeja mentioned that Hardik hasn’t altered his captaincy style but has simply managed his team more effectively this time around.
Pandya has already proved his credentials, having led GT to the IPL title in 2022 and the final in 2023. Now, he’ll be keen to guide MI to a record sixth championship.
“Hardik has been fabulous. He has got the energy. He has got a different style of captaining. Unfortunately, last season wasn’t a success. He has kept his cool. He has carried on the way he captains, whether he was at GT, whether it was last year,” Jadeja told JioStar.
“He is an excellent motivator. He is one man who has shown he never gives up. Yes, there is an excellent analytical team out there who is helping him out. But the energy that he brings in!
“It’s lovely to see, for a man who has had such a tough time last year — with the same team, same ground, same fans — he has turned it around. The same fans at this ground were booing him last year; now they are cheering for him. That shows his character. You want to always have a leader like him — not just when you’re winning, but when you are losing as well.”
Jadeja also pointed out that Hardik has benefitted from a vastly improved bowling attack in IPL 2025.
“The results have come his way this year. I think he has got a better bowling attack this year. So that makes a big difference.
“A man who bowls for India and plays as a pure bowler is not even required. That’s the kind of arsenal that has been put around him. A captain is always as good as his team.”
Mumbai Indians will now aim to finish in the top two and earn themselves an extra shot at reaching the final. They will face Punjab Kings in their final league match in Jaipur on May 26.