IPL 2026: ‘You can bowl this too, right?’ – R Ashwin questions Hardik Pandya’s death-over call – The Times of India

Hardikpandya: The Patidar Over: A Tactical Mismatch Laid Bare

Royal Challengers Bengaluru had posted a competitive total, and Mumbai Indians, despite losing early wickets, had a glimmer of hope through their middle order. However, the introduction of Mayank Markande to bowl at Rajat Patidar, a batsman known for his spin-hitting prowess and a player who has historically troubled Markande, was a gamble that reportedly backfired spectacularly. That said, hardikpandya is worth examining closely here.

Patidar, sensing an opportunity, reportedly unleashed a barrage, taking 18 runs off Markande’s over. The sequence of shots—powerful straight hits and well-placed sweeps—demonstrated a clear understanding of the bowler’s limitations and the pressure he was under. Ashwin’s immediate reaction, captured by the cameras and relayed through social media, was one of disbelief.

“You can bowl this too, right?” he questioned, implying that even a spinner like himself, or perhaps another more suitable bowler, could have been deployed in that situation with potentially better results. This wasn’t just a commentary on Markande’s bowling; it was a pointed critique of Hardik Pandya’s choice of bowler and field placement against a dangerous batsman at a crucial juncture. It’s a moment that reportedly encapsulates the tactical misfires that have defined MI’s IPL 2026 campaign so far. Hardikpandya, specifically, plays a bigger role than most coverage suggests.

MI’s Season of Struggles: Context Beyond the Over

This singular over, while damning, is merely a symptom of a larger malaise affecting the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026. Their current standing at 2-7 is a stark reflection of a season where things simply haven’t clicked. The picture for hardikpandya is more nuanced than headlines indicate. India Today Sports reports.

From inconsistent batting performances to bowling strategies that have often seemed reactive rather than proactive, the team has struggled to find its rhythm. The departure of David Warner from the Delhi Capitals squad, while a significant development for their rivals, highlights the dynamic nature of team compositions and the challenges teams face when key players are unavailable, a scenario MI has also grappled with.

The pressure on any captain in the IPL is immense, but for Hardik Pandya, inheriting the leadership of a franchise with such a storied history, and then overseeing such a downturn, has amplified the scrutiny. The former KKR star’s comments, pointing fingers at Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav as main culprits, only add fuel to the fire, suggesting a disconnect within the dressing room as well. Tilak Varma’s struggles and the subsequent intervention from a CSK legend to stabilize the batting order further underscore the internal turmoil.

The Defence: Teammates Rally Around Pandya

Amidst the rising tide of criticism, there have been voices from within the Mumbai Indians camp defending Hardik Pandya and the decision-making. While the specific details of MI’s internal discussions are rarely made public, comments from teammates and support staff often attempt to provide a counter-narrative.

The argument typically centres on the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where split-second decisions carry immense weight, and sometimes, even the best-laid plans go awry. They might point to the fact that Markande had been effective in previous spells or that the opposition batsman simply played an exceptional over.

The team management’s continued backing of Hardik Pandya suggests a belief that he is the right man to lead the side, even through this difficult patch. They would argue that singling out one over ignores the broader team effort and the numerous other factors that contribute to a match’s outcome. It’s a familiar script in professional sports: when results dip, the captain inevitably faces the brunt, and the team rallies to present a united front, even if the underlying issues persist.