Mumbai Indians have not lifted the IPL trophy since 2020. Six years on, the joint most successful franchise in the history of the tournament is still searching for a way back to the top.
Harbhajan Singh, an IPL legend who spent a decade at the club and is now an expert on JioStar, believes the key to unlocking MI’s potential lies in one man: Hardik Pandya.
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“I think Hardik Pandya needs to unleash his true version of Hardik Pandya. He needs to bring his A game to the table. Once he starts playing his A game, not only as a batsman but also as a bowler, it will make a huge difference,Harbhajan told JioHotstar ‘Game Plan’.
The former India spinner pointed to Pandya’s bowling as a particularly crucial factor and cited his excellent performances with the ball in the T20 World Cup as proof of what he is capable of.
“We saw him bowling in the T20 World Cup. He was brilliant with the ball. That’s what he needs to do in the IPL as well,” he added.
Harbhajan also emphasized the importance of Pandya’s influence as a leader, arguing that a captain who leads from the front can change the mindset of the entire dressing room.
“When the captain leads from the front and shows the way, everyone follows. It comes down to belief. If Hardik and his men believe from day one that they are not just here to compete but to lift the trophy for the sixth time, that could change very quickly for MI,” he said.
CAPTAIN WITH PEDIGREE
Hardik Pandya’s credentials as captain are not in doubt. He led Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in their very first season in 2022, a remarkable achievement that established him as one of the sharpest cricketing minds of his generation.
His record as India’s T20I captain further underlines this pedigree. In 16 matches leading the team in the shortest format, Pandya has recorded 10 wins, five losses and one draw, a return that speaks to his ability to deliver when under pressure.
But his return to Mumbai Indians did not go as planned. The team finished 10th in 2024, and although they improved to reach the playoffs in 2025, they fell short in Qualifier 2. The trophy remained out of sight.
MORE THAN JUST A CAPTAIN
Apart from his leadership, Pandya remains one of India’s most valuable cricketers in the shortest format. A true match-winner with both bat and ball, he gives India a flexibility that few players in world cricket can offer. He is not just a little cricketer. He can be classified as a right batsman or a right bowler on any given day.
This quality was on full display during the last two editions of the T20 World Cup where Pandya played a key role in both the title wins. His contributions with bat and ball were crucial to India’s success and cemented his status as one of the format’s most complete players.
The challenge now is to channel that same energy and impact into a full IPL campaign with the added weight of the captaincy on his shoulders.
COLLECTED TEAM, SIMPLE BRIDGE
MI heads into IPL 2026 with another formidable squad across all departments. Talent is not the problem. Harbhajan calls for intent, specifically from Pandya himself.
If Pandya delivers, Harbhajan believes MI will follow.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
16 March 2026 18:16 IST
