Former Team India cricketer Manoj Tiwary criticized Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya for his disappointing performances in IPL 2026. Tiwary stated that the all-rounder should step down and return leadership duties to former captain Rohit Sharma to improve the team’s results.
MI posted a total of 195/6 at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, April 16. Quinton de Kock smashed an unbeaten 112 and Naman Dhir added a crucial 50. However, Punjab Kings (PBKS) chased down the target comfortably, with Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer guiding MI to their fourth consecutive defeat.
It is very important to be proactive as a captain – Manoj Tiwary criticizes Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya criticized his teammates after their fourth consecutive defeat and asked them to take responsibility for their poor performances. Manoj Tiwary disagreed with these comments and questioned Pandya’s own performances and tactical decisions this season.
Tiwary also pointed out how Rohit Sharma brought success to Mumbai Indians. The former batsman termed the current captaincy approach weak and urged Pandya to be more proactive.
“Where will the ownership come from? One also has to look at himself. One needs to look at how he has been playing. In my opinion, just because he is not having success this year does not mean that the mistakes happened only this year. One must also look at the root cause. From 2015 to 2023, Rohit Sharma helped Mumbai Indians win several trophies,” Tiwary said on Cricbuzz.
“In 2023 there was no trophy. In 2024 there was no trophy, and the chances of the same happening this year are also high. I think the captaincy is weak. I don’t want to be harsh. But Hardik is not leading the team as he should. It is very important to be proactive as a captain,” he added.
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Hardik Pandya should not have been promoted – Manoj Tiwary
Mumbai Indians were well placed at 134/3 in the 14th over after Naman Dhir scored 50. However, Hardik Pandya was promoted to number 5 ahead of Sherfane Rutherford during the death overs. Manoj Tiwary criticized the decision after Pandya managed just 14 runs off 12 balls.
“Hardik shouldn’t have been promoted against Punjab Kings. He scored 14 runs off 12 balls. Sherfane Rutherford only got five balls. If Rutherford had played that many balls, he would have hit 3 or 4 sixes. Hardik Pandya thought he could do it. Yes, he could have done it,” Tiwary said.
Rutherford had played a strong knock of 71 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), but faced only five balls against Punjab Kings. Meanwhile, MI’s middle order struggled, with Suryakumar Yadav out for a golden duck and Tilak Varma scoring just eight runs.
No point in giving Jasprit Bumrah the second over – Manoj Tiwary
Manoj Tiwary also questioned the bowling strategies used by Hardik Pandya. He criticized the decision to start Deepak Chahar and delayed the use of Jasprit Bumrah in the powerplay. Tiwary stated that Pandya should consider returning the role to Rohit Sharma.
“You should have pushed Rutherford up. And secondly, there’s no point in giving Jasprit Bumrah the second if you’re not giving him the first. Deepak Chahar is just not able to swing the ball,” Tiwary said.
“Shreyas Iyer showed outstanding captaincy while Mumbai Indians’ captaincy was very weak. I think if a solution is needed, Hardik should step away from captaincy and hand the responsibility back to Rohit. When you removed Rohit, you did an injustice.”, he concluded.
Pandya also struggled with the ball, conceding 39 runs in three overs. The all-rounder took over as captain of the Mumbai Indians in 2024 and will lead the team for the third season.
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