Hardik Pandya’s Leadership Under Scrutiny as Mumbai Indians End IPL 2026 Season with Disappointment
मुख्य बातें
- •Mumbai Indians finished ninth in IPL 2026 after losing their final league match to Rajasthan Royals by 30 runs, marking their 10th defeat in 14 games.
- •Kieron Pollard admitted Hardik Pandya’s leadership stint did not meet expectations but insisted it was not a single-person failure.
- •Pollard ruled out immediate decisions on team changes, calling for a time of reflection and assessment before any action.
- •The team’s fall from third place in IPL 2025 to ninth in 2026 has raised questions about its future direction and leadership.
NEW DELHI: The Mumbai Indians’ campaign in IPL 2026 came to a disheartening close on Sunday, as the five-time champions suffered yet another setback in their final league-stage match against Rajasthan Royals. The team, which had finished third in the previous season, ended up ninth in a 10-team league table after going down by 30 runs in their last outing of the tournament. This loss marked their 10th defeat in 14 matches, underlining a season that can only be described as forgettable for one of the IPL’s most successful franchises.
Following the match, Mumbai Indians’ batting coach Kieron Pollard addressed the media and reflected on the challenges faced during the season. Speaking about skipper Hardik Pandya’s leadership stint, Pollard acknowledged that it had not unfolded according to expectations. “From a leadership perspective on Hardik, yes, it has not gone as well as he would have wanted as an individual,” Pollard stated. “It might not have gone how we would have wanted as a management staff.” Despite this admission, he emphasized the franchise’s commitment to providing Pandya with every opportunity to succeed as captain.
