Mumbai Indians (MI) registered a big 99-run win over Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2026 on April 20 in Ahmedabad. But even after this strong performance, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar raised questions about Hardik Pandya’s captaincy.
He believes that MI’s decisions may be influenced more by branding and headlines rather than pure cricket thinking.
Manjrekar Questions Pandya’s Leadership
Manjrekar feels that Pandya has not shown the same level of success with Mumbai Indians as he did earlier with Gujarat Titans.
He pointed out that MI had a mixed start in IPL 2026. The team began well but then lost four matches in a row before bouncing back with a win against GT.
According to him, Pandya’s success at GT was not just because of his captaincy. It also depended on a strong support system around him.
Mumbai Indians Journey Under Pandya
Here is how MI has performed under Pandya’s captaincy in recent seasons:
| Season | Performance |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Finished at the bottom of the table |
| 2025 | Reached Qualifier 2 |
| 2026 | Mixed start, including 4-match losing streak, then win vs GT |
Pandya returned to Mumbai Indians as captain in 2024. That season was disappointing, but the team improved in 2025 by reaching Qualifier 2.
In IPL 2026, MI again showed inconsistency before getting a strong win in Ahmedabad.
Also See : IPL 2026 Controversy: Rajasthan Royals Manager Penalised, Lalit Modi Demands Ban
Role of Ashish Nehra Highlighted
Manjrekar clearly said that Pandya’s success with GT had a lot to do with coach Ashish Nehra.
He explained that GT had a very active coaching setup where decisions were guided constantly. This helped Pandya perform better as a captain.
He suggested that if MI wanted Pandya to succeed in the same way, they should have also focused on building a similar support system.
What Manjrekar Said
Speaking on a podcast, Manjrekar shared his opinion:
He said that bringing Pandya back to MI was an interesting decision, but sometimes teams make choices that create headlines and attention rather than focusing fully on cricket.
He also added that Pandya’s success at Gujarat Titans was strongly linked with Ashish Nehra’s support. If MI really wanted the same results, they could have considered bringing that kind of support along with him.
MI’s Strategy Under Debate
Manjrekar believes that MI may be trying to do something different or eye-catching instead of following a steady cricket plan.
He feels that strong teams are built not just on big names but also on proper planning, coaching, and teamwork behind the scenes.
Final Thoughts
The discussion around Hardik Pandya’s captaincy continues even after MI’s big win. While results on the field are important, Manjrekar’s comments highlight how crucial the support system and coaching staff are for a captain’s success.
Mumbai Indians will now look to stay consistent in upcoming matches, and fans will be watching closely to see if the team focuses more on solid strategy rather than just big decisions.
