Former India cricketer turned commentator Manoj Tiwary questioned Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya’s decision not to start the innings off with his key pacer, Jasprit Bumrah. The veteran pacer’s wicket-less stretch has now extended to five matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, as he returned figures of 0-41 as well.

“Jasprit Bumrah should have been given the new ball. You gave him that, but why the second over? Why didn’t you give him the first over itself? There is no point in giving Jasprit Bumrah the second over, I don’t understand that. If you had given him the first over, you would not have conceded 21 runs. If you don’t correct these things, and don’t remain proactive, then the team will end up in the same way as they did today,” Manoj Tiwary said of Hardik Pandya’s captaincy on Cricbuzz.

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“Everyone’s shoulders were down, it seemed that gave up very early. It is really disappointing. When 21 runs are conceded in the first over, the ball has been hit so many times, what will Bumrah do after that with that ball? Even he is a human being, he should be given some space. Don’t put so much pressure on him that even he is not able to perform,” he further added.

Meanwhile, former India pace bowler Mohit Sharma, who shared the dressing room with Hardik Pandya during his time with the Gujarat Titans (GT), felt that he is showing desperation at this stage as well.

“MI seemed a little bit desperate to me in both batting and bowling. Desperation does not help you, it gets you into trouble. I feel that they are desperate for a win. As soon as they started feeling that they are losing, their shoulders started falling. I have never seen Hardik Pandya like this. I have played with him, and when there is a tough situation, Hardik is the first one to stand and face it,” Mohit Sharma said.