‘Usko maar maar ke dhoya’: R Ashwin shows no sympathy for Hardik Pandya for his captaincy blunder against RCB

R Ashwin questioned the decision to use Mayank Markande against Rajat Patidar on Sunday, as it backfired.

Updated on: Apr 13, 2026, 11:23:49 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Ravichandran Ashwin questioned Hardik Pandya's captaincy decisions after Mumbai Indians crashed to an 18-run victory against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their IPL 2026 fixture on Sunday. Ashwin didn't hold back as he pointed out MI's tactical bowling mistakes and slammed the use of Mayank Markande against Rajat Patidar.

R Ashwin criticised Hardik Pandya's MI captaincy.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin showed the scorecard of a game between Sunrisers Hyderabad and RCB in 2024, where Patidar smacked Markande for four sixes in a single over.

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R Ashwin slams Hardik Pandya's captaincy

Ashwin questioned the decision to use Markande against Patidar on Sunday, and he was hit for three consecutive sixes by the RCB skipper in the 11th over.

"This SRH vs RCB 2024 game was where Rajat Patidar announced that he is a spin hitter. He was hitting Markande into every corner," he said.

"There are some common things between these two big overs. The first ball was taken by Virat Kohli, he took a single, and everything else was the same. There he hit four sixes, here he hit three."

Explaining that hitting spin is one of the RCB skipper's many strengths, he continued, "Rajat Patidar is a monster hitter against spinners. When he came to bat, you gave the ball to Markande straight away? Not the smartest of moves. Very, very average."

“It is very important to understand what Markande thinks. Patidar hit him and washed him in Hyderabad (It is important to understand Markande ke dimaag mei kya chal raha hai. Usko maar maar ke dhoya tha usne Hyderabad mei), and here, he hit him from the very first ball again.”

Ashwin felt that the pitch wasn't spinner-friendly, as even MI's Mitchell Santner conceded 43 runs. "Here, the difference is between 210 and 240. Mayank Markande: two overs, 40 runs. Today, the spinners went for 83 runs total. I think Santner went for 43 as well," he said.

In his analysis, Ashwin opined that MI's bowling approach gave Patidar the time to settle quickly at the crease. Once he began to hit sixes and fours, he increased the momentum immediately, hitting a hat-trick of maximums early on in his innings, and he got to a 17-ball fifty.

Ashwin's criticism of Pandya's captaincy at MI is not new. Ahead of IPL 2026, he had called for Suryakumar Yadav to lead MI as skipper.

Chasing a target of 241 runs, MI were restricted to 222/5 in 20 overs, despite an unbeaten 31-ball 71* by Sherfane Rutherford. Meanwhile, Suyash Sharma took two wickets. Initially, half-centuries from Phil Salt (78), Patidar (53) and Virat Kohli (50) guided RCB to 240/4.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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