Mumbai Indians’ poor run in IPL 2026 has started a big debate around captaincy. After another defeat, former players and experts are questioning Hardik Pandya’s leadership and suggesting a possible return for Rohit Sharma.
The discussion has become stronger after MI’s fourth straight loss this season.
Match Summary: MI vs PBKS
The match was played at Wankhede Stadium on April 16. Mumbai Indians scored 195 runs, but Punjab Kings chased the target comfortably.
Quinton de Kock played a brilliant innings, scoring 112 not out, while Naman Dhir added 50 runs. However, Punjab Kings chased the target easily with strong performances from Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer.
| Match | MI vs PBKS |
|---|---|
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium |
| Date | April 16, 2026 |
| MI Score | 195/6 |
| Result | PBKS won |
| Key Performers | De Kock 112*, Dhir 50 |
Manoj Tiwary Questions Hardik Pandya’s Captaincy
Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has openly criticized Hardik Pandya’s captaincy.
He believes the team needs a more active and smart leader. He also suggested that Rohit Sharma could again take charge to improve the team’s performance.
Tiwary reminded everyone that Mumbai Indians won multiple trophies under Rohit Sharma between 2015 and 2023. He also said that the current approach is not working and may lead to another trophy-less season.
Also See : Mumbai Indians Struggling in IPL 2026: 3 Big Changes They May Consider
Batting Decisions Under Scrutiny
Tiwary also questioned Hardik Pandya’s decision to promote himself to bat at number 5 during the death overs.
Pandya scored 14 runs off 12 balls, which did not help the team much. At the same time, Sherfane Rutherford got very few balls to play.
| Player | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Hardik Pandya | 14 | 12 |
| Sherfane Rutherford | – | 5 balls faced |
Tiwary said Rutherford could have hit big shots if he had more time. In a previous match, Rutherford had scored 71 runs, showing his ability to finish games.
Other batters also failed to perform. Suryakumar Yadav got out for zero, and Tilak Varma scored only 8 runs.
Bowling Strategy Raises Questions
Tiwary also criticized MI’s bowling plan.
He questioned why Jasprit Bumrah was not used early in the powerplay. Instead, Deepak Chahar started the bowling, but he could not create much impact.
Tiwary felt that better decisions from the captain could have improved the team’s chances.
What This Means for Mumbai Indians
Hardik Pandya has been leading Mumbai Indians since 2024, and this is his third season as captain.
In this match, he also bowled 3 overs and gave away 39 runs. With continuous losses, pressure is increasing on him as captain.
Final Take
Mumbai Indians are going through a difficult phase, and leadership is now a big talking point.
Some experts believe bringing Rohit Sharma back as captain could help the team recover. For now, all eyes are on MI’s next matches to see if they can turn things around or make a big leadership change.
