IPL 2026 | 'Not easy to replace Rohit Sharma': Ashwin defends Hardik Pandya amid Mumbai Indians struggles
Mumbai Indians have endured a disappointing IPL 2026, failing to reach the playoffs after just four wins in 12 matches. Captain Hardik Pandya has faced criticism for his batting and leadership, but Ravichandran Ashwin defended him, stating it's unfair to solely blame the captain when the team has underperformed collectively.
NEW DELHI: Mumbai Indians have endured a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign. The five-time champions, who won all their titles under former skipper Rohit Sharma, are already out of the playoff race after managing just four wins in 12 matches while suffering eight defeats. One of the major talking points surrounding Mumbai Indians’ poor season has been the form of captain Hardik Pandya, who has struggled with the bat.
Pandya has scored 146 runs in eight matches at an average of 20. 85 and a strike rate of 136. 44.
With criticism mounting over both his batting and captaincy, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin came out in support of the all-rounder, calling it unfair to place the blame solely on him. "I wouldn't review his captaincy this year at all. Honestly, when you have seasons like this, to pin the blame on the captain is quite unfair.
Nobody has turned up, the team has failed to turn up. And for Hardik to take the blame on himself is asking a little too much. He was there at Gujarat Titans and had two fabulous seasons," Ashwin said on ESPNCricinfo.