Ex-India Batter Manoj Tiwary Urges Hardik Pandya to Step Down as MI Captain After Fourth IPL Loss
Former India batter Manoj Tiwary has strongly criticized Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya following the team's fourth consecutive defeat in the IPL 2026 season. The criticism emerged after a seven-wicket loss to Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium, where MI failed to defend a total of 195 runs. Tiwary interpreted Pandya's post-match comments about accountability and tough decisions as indirect blame directed at senior players like Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma for their poor performances. Arguing that the team's struggles indicate deeper issues, Tiwary suggested that Pandya should take a break from leadership duties. He advocated for the reinstatement of former skipper Rohit Sharma, who led MI to five titles, describing Pandya's removal of Sharma as an injustice. Tiwary emphasized that Pandya has failed to meet expectations of delivering a trophy and that his current body language and reactions suggest internal discord within the squad. This development highlights growing pressure on the five-time champions as they struggle for consistency early in the tournament.
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Ex-India Batter Manoj Tiwary Urges Hardik Pandya to Step Down as MI Captain After Fourth IPL Loss
Former India batter Manoj Tiwary has strongly criticized Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya following the team's fourth consecutive defeat in the IPL 2026 season. The criticism emerged after a seven-wicket loss to Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium, where MI failed to defend a total of 195 runs. Tiwary interpreted Pandya's post-match comments about accountability and tough decisions as indirect blame directed at senior players like Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma for their poor performances. Arguing that the team's struggles indicate deeper issues, Tiwary suggested that Pandya should take a break from leadership duties. He advocated for the reinstatement of former skipper Rohit Sharma, who led MI to five titles, describing Pandya's removal of Sharma as an injustice. Tiwary emphasized that Pandya has failed to meet expectations of delivering a trophy and that his current body language and reactions suggest internal discord within the squad. This development highlights growing pressure on the five-time champions as they struggle for consistency early in the tournament.
The Indian Express