IPL 2026: 'Hardik Pandya is a Plastic Captain' - Former India player mincing no Words for MI Skipper

Former India selector Kris Srikkanth did not mince words when assessing Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya's performance during their recent IPL 2026 clash against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Following an eight-wicket drubbing at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday, May 3, Srikkanth took to his YouTube channel to question Pandya's leadership and intent, famously labeling him a "plastic captain".

The criticism revolved around Pandya's bizarrely slow innings. Walking in to bat at No. 6 after the dismissal of Tilak Varma, Hardik joined a well-set Naman Dhir in the middle. However, the MI captain struggled to find any rhythm on the two-paced Chepauk track. He laboured to an agonizing 18 runs off 23 deliveries, consuming 10 dot balls and managing just two boundaries before being dismissed in the final over.

His knock severely derailed MI's innings, causing them to plummet from a comfortable 109 for four in 12.5 overs to a meagre final total of 159 for seven. Srikkanth was left in sheer disbelief at the approach.

"Look at the numbers - 18 runs off 23 balls. What is this? He is a plastic captain," Srikkanth remarked.
"Look at that partnership - what was the intent? What was Hardik Pandya trying to do? If you check the number of dot balls in the middle overs, it's clear there was no proper calculation or game awareness. The run-rate dropped very drastically during that phase," Srikkanth observed.

Loss of Momentum in the Middle Overs

Srikkanth further broke down how the Mumbai Indians completely lost the plot during the middle and death overs. Pandya's inability to accelerate led to a massive dip in the run rate, and CSK easily chased down the subpar target.

"From around the 6th or 7th over, they started at about 9 runs per over, but then it went down - 7, 7, one over of 13, then 10, then 6. After that, 5, 4, 3, 7, 4 that's where they lost it completely between overs 12 to 16. Even towards the end, it was just 7 runs and 4 runs while Hardik was still batting," Srikkanth explained.

Pandya's strike rate of 136.45 this season has been a growing concern, leaving MI lacking essential firepower in the middle order. "Honestly, I couldn't understand what they were trying to do. What was the plan?" he added.

Srikkanth also highlighted a tactical masterclass by the CSK bowlers, specifically noting how they gave no freebies and targeted Pandya's body, especially through the pace of Jamie Overton. "They won't bowl in the slot again. They will lock him down. They knew if they bowl length, he will smash them. So, they won't bowl there," Srikkanth pointed out.

With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, Hardik Pandya and the Mumbai Indians will need to quickly regroup before they take on the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their next fixture on May 4 at the Wankhede Stadium.