Hand Back Captaincy to Rohit: Tiwary Slams Hardik After MI Loss

Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has sharply criticised Hardik Pandya’s leadership and demanded that Mumbai Indians hand back captaincy to Rohit Sharma after the team’s latest defeat in the IPL 2026 season. The five-time champions suffered their fourth consecutive loss, this time to Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium, leaving fans and experts questioning the side’s direction.

Manoj Tiwary criticises Hardik Pandya’s leadership in the strongest terms yet, pointing to deeper issues that go beyond the current campaign. In an interview with Cricbuzz, the former batter said the lack of ownership was evident and that the team needed to address root causes stretching back to 2023.

MI’s Dismal IPL Campaign

Mumbai Indians began the season with a win over Kolkata Knight Riders but have since collapsed. The side sits ninth on the points table with just two points and a net run rate of minus 1.076. Hardik Pandya, who took over captaincy ahead of the season, admitted after the Punjab game that the team must take collective responsibility and improve quickly. Yet his words have done little to stem the growing criticism.

Tiwary Blasts Leadership Style

Tiwary did not hold back. “The captaincy is weak,” he stated, adding that Hardik was not leading the team proactively. He reminded everyone of Rohit Sharma’s successful years at the helm, during which Mumbai Indians lifted multiple trophies between 2015 and 2023. Tiwary argued that removing Rohit had done the franchise an injustice and that one poor season did not erase a proven track record.

Call to Reinstate Rohit

The former India player made a clear recommendation: Hardik should step aside and restore the captaincy to Rohit Sharma for the remainder of the season. “When you removed Rohit, you did an injustice,” Tiwary remarked. He believes this single move could help the side regain its winning momentum and steady the ship.

Tactical Errors in Match

Tiwary also picked apart specific decisions from the Punjab Kings clash. He questioned Hardik’s choice to promote himself up the order ahead of Sherfane Rutherford. Hardik scored 14 off 12 balls while Rutherford faced only five deliveries. “If Rutherford had played as many balls, he would have hit 3-4 sixes,” Tiwary observed. He felt the move reflected poor reading of the situation.

Bowling changes came under similar scrutiny. Tiwary wondered why Jasprit Bumrah was not given the new ball in the first over and instead bowled the second. He noted that Deepak Chahar struggled to swing the ball, contrasting it with what he called “outstanding captaincy” from Shreyas Iyer on the opposing side.

Jayawardene Defends Team Effort

Mumbai Indians’ head of cricket, Mahela Jayawardene, faced tough questions at the post-match press conference. He refused to single out Hardik Pandya. “I don’t think it’s just on Hardik; I think it’s on every one of us,” Jayawardene said. He added that the entire management and playing group shared the responsibility and that the team was playing good cricket but simply not executing as clinically as their opponents.

Growing Pressure on MI

The defeat has intensified calls for change. With the playoffs still a distant target, Mumbai Indians must find answers fast. The franchise’s proud history of five titles now feels distant as the side struggles for consistency under the new leadership.

Road Ahead for Five-Time Champs

As the IPL 2026 season enters a crucial phase, Mumbai Indians face a defining stretch. Whether the management listens to voices like Manoj Tiwary and considers handing back captaincy to Rohit Sharma will be closely watched. For now, the focus remains on immediate improvements if the team hopes to stay alive in the race for the playoffs.