Hardik Pandya and the Mumbai Indians’ struggles are going on in the ongoing IPL season. The five-time champions faced their seventh defeat of IPL 2026 on Saturday to Chennai Super Kings, a result that has pushed them to the verge of elimination. Batting first, MI were restricted to 159/7 in 20 overs, with Naman Dhir’s fifty emerging as the only bright spot. In response, CSK chased down the target comfortably as well.

Following the loss, former India opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth slammed Hardik Pandya, criticising his captaincy and accusing him of shying away from taking responsibility when the team needed it as well. Srikkanth also questioned Hardik’s decision to avoid bowling in the powerplay, instead handing the ball to Krish Bhagat as well.

“Hardik Pandya can’t lay bat on ball, and with the ball also, he is scared. He gives Krish Bhagat the ball in the powerplay instead of bowling himself. Teams are smashing Bhagat, yet Hardik is scared to bowl in the powerplay,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

READ HERE: Shubman Gill Breaks Silence On ODI Futures Of Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli

He further added, “Hardik Pandya is playing terribly. You are playing as the captain. They had no clue in the middle and end overs. What was Hardik Pandya even trying to do? It was hard to understand. Hereafter, no one will feed balls on a length for Hardik. They’ll only bowl into the body and tuck him up. Teams are completely locking him up.”

The veteran cricketer also criticised MI for continuing to back Tilak Varma, who has been struggling for runs this season apart from scoring a solitary century.

“Tilak Varma then ate ball after ball and that’s where the pressure started. He is playing so ordinarily. Barring that one century, he has struggled big time this season. One sunny day doesn’t make a summer. Likewise, just one good knock won’t do. He should be dropped. He is batting horribly. They must bring some new batter instead,” he concluded.