Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan delivered a blunt assessment of Hardik Pandya following the Mumbai Indians’ heavy 103-run defeat to the Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on April 23. The loss not only exposed MI’s tactical shortcomings but also raised serious questions about leadership decisions in a high-pressure game.

Pathan was particularly critical of Mumbai’s call at the toss. According to him, opting to chase on a surface that offered assistance to bowlers was a miscalculation that set the tone for the defeat.

“Recent matches have shown that teams batting first have had the upper hand, yet Mumbai chose to chase. It’s a tough call, but sometimes you need to show courage and back your reading of the conditions,” Irfan Pathan explained.

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He pointed out that the pitch wasn’t the typical flat Wankhede track, with a slight turn and grip making stroke play more challenging. As a result, MI’s batting lineup was put under immediate pressure and eventually collapsed. Pathan also questioned some of Pandya’s on-field decisions, especially the move to introduce an inexperienced bowler like Kris Bhagat at a crucial stage against a well-set Sanju Samson. The CSK batter capitalised, finishing strongly and pushing the total beyond reach.

“Bowling a relatively new player in the death overs against a set batter like Samson wasn’t the right call. These are moments where captains need to take responsibility and make smarter decisions,” Irfan Pathan noted.

Beyond captaincy, Pathan highlighted concerns with Pandya’s batting approach. He observed that the all-rounder has struggled to be consistent in recent seasons, particularly on surfaces offering even minimal assistance.

“He needs to use his feet more, especially when there’s movement off the pitch. Earlier, his stance allowed better balance, but now it seems to limit his ability to adjust,” Irfan Pathan said, pointing to technical aspects that could be affecting Pandya’s performance.

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The former cricketer emphasised that Pandya’s overall contribution fell short, particularly at a time when the Mumbai Indians are battling inconsistency in IPL 2026. The five-time champions currently sit eighth on the points table after this defeat, while Chennai Super Kings have climbed to fifth.

For Mumbai, the loss serves as a reminder that both tactical clarity and individual form will be crucial if they are to turn their campaign around in the second half of the season.