Irfan Pathan’s stinging takedown of Hardik Pandya’s impact as captain: 'Expect better from him, he is looking worried'
Irfan Pathan shared a blunt assessment of Hardik Pandya’s recent performances, highlighting concerns over his batting returns and effectiveness with the ball.
Pressure is steadily mounting on Hardik Pandya as Mumbai Indians find themselves stuck in a worrying rut, having lost four matches on the bounce. It’s proving to be a difficult phase for Pandya, both as captain and as a player, with neither his individual performances nor the team’s results going their way.
Hardik Pandya's captaincy has come under the scanner now. (PTI)
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MI last tasted IPL success in 2020, and since then, the search for a sixth title has only grown longer. In an attempt to shake things up, the franchise made the bold decision to part ways with Rohit Sharma as captain and bring Pandya back into the setup, handing him the leadership role immediately.
However, stepping into the shoes of a five-time title-winning skipper was never going to be straightforward. The expectations have been immense, and the early results this season haven’t helped ease the pressure. With four straight defeats already, Mumbai Indians are in danger of falling behind quickly, leaving Pandya with a tough task to turn things around before it’s too late.
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Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan shared a blunt assessment of Pandya’s recent performances, highlighting concerns over his batting returns and effectiveness with the ball. Pathan also pointed to visible signs of pressure, stressing that the Mumbai Indians skipper needs to manage key moments far better.
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Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan shared a blunt assessment of Pandya’s recent performances, highlighting concerns over his batting returns and effectiveness with the ball. Pathan also pointed to visible signs of pressure, stressing that the Mumbai Indians skipper needs to manage key moments far better.
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"It is also about managing things in a better manner. Hardik's batting average since 2024 is in the early 20s. We expect better from him. He needs to do better in the powerplay in bowling too. Things became easier in this match as Allah Ghazanfar picked up wickets. But he is looking very worried when there is pressure," Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
Pathan was critical of the MI bowling attack, which is struggling to get wickets, and the likes of Pandya, Shardul Thakur, and Deepak Chahar's sub-standard performances are only making things difficult for them. The pressure on Jasprit Bumrah is also growing as he has yet to take a wicket this season.
"Out of the five bowlers, Shardul Thakur and Hardik Pandya are all-rounders, and Deepak Chahar is not taking wickets. They are left with just two bowlers then. How will you take wickets with just two bowlers? They need to improve their bowling unit and play a proper wicket-taker," he added.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
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Home/Cricket/Irfan Pathan’s stinging takedown of Hardik Pandya’s impact as captain: 'Expect better from him, he is looking worried'
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