Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper, has come in for serious scrutiny for his tactics and performance with both bat and ball after his team’s loss to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing IPL 2026 tournament on April 23.
MI had opted to bowl first after winning the toss and saw Chennai Super Kings put on 207/6 in 20 overs, thanks to 101* by Sanju Samson. In response, Akeal Hosein routed MI batting, taking 4/17 as MI folded for 104 runs. CSK lost by 103 runs and suffered their biggest defeat by runs in IPL history.
Kris Srikkanth, a former cricket player for India, also criticized Hardik Pandya's leadership, citing a lack of commitment during crucial times and even implying that the MI captain appeared unwilling to accept accountability.
He criticized the call at the toss and questioned the choice to give the ball to rookie player Krish Bhagat rather than backing himself at the end.
"A player who has bowled the death overs in the T20 World Cup is scared of bowling the same here. MI's problem starts here only. This is why you should bat first after winning the toss. You at least have a chance of single-handed heroics, like Tilak Varma in the last match or Sanju Samson today. Hardik Pandya got that also wrong," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Srikkanth was scathing in his analysis of Hardik Pandya, questioning his tactical approach and overall impact, criticizing him for not performing with bat and ball.
"It was dubba captaincy by Hardik Pandya. He should have batted first after winning the toss. Except for the KKR match, they've always lost, always chasing. Then, you are a main bowler who has bowled the death overs in T20 World Cups. Yet, you are not coming to bowl and are letting that boy Krish Bhagat bowl the last two overs. Hardik has become a run-feeder. He's also struggling to lay bat on ball with the bat," said Srikkanth.
The 1983 World Cup winner had a serious issue with MI’s approach and team management and even stated that Hardik Pandya has seemed to have lost confidence with the bat, the ball, and in his captaincy.
"How are you giving a youngster playing only his second match the ball in the death overs? It was 4 overs and 69 runs between Hardik and Bhagat. That was the biggest difference. Krish Bhagat should be pushed for two overs in the middle of the innings. MI was finished there itself. They have no idea what to do with their 11. Hardik Pandya has lost confidence as a batter, bowler, and captain," he concluded.
