![Hardik Pandya urged to leave Mumbai Indians captaincy [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1793864095552_HardikPandyaurgedtoleaveMumbaiIndianscaptaincy.jpg?type=hq)
Hardik Pandya urged to leave Mumbai Indians captaincy [Source: AFP]
Former Mumbai Indians and CSK superstar Ambati Rayudu has stated that Hardik Pandya shouldn’t lead the Mumbai franchise in the IPL 2027; instead, he should play as a player and be a match-winner for the team.
Hardik was traded to the Mumbai Indians in a blockbuster trade deal ahead of IPL 2024, but fair to say that the mAove failed to deliver the goods as Hardik looked lost as the franchise captain, and now speculations have begun regarding his potential trade to the Punjab Kings.
Rayudu wants Hardik to relinquish Mumbai Indians captaincy
Rayudu, who has represented the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, gave a stern verdict on Hardik’s Mumbai Indians future.
He stated that the all-rounder felt as if he was cornered in the Mumbai Indians setup, and if he wants to remain with the franchise for the upcoming season, then the best decision is to relinquish the captaincy and enjoy playing as an all-rounder.
“In Mumbai, I just thought that Hardik felt as if he was cornered. And once you feel you’re cornered, you’re always looking over your shoulder. Once that happens in a dressing room, you tend to come out in ways that you wouldn’t want to."
“From now on, if he wants to stay at MI, I don’t think he should be the captain. He should just play his game, enjoy his time, and be a match-winner for MI. But if he goes out, definitely not a captain again, at least for one season,” Rayudu said on Cricbuzz.
Mumbai Indians struggled under Hardik's captaincy
Mumbai Indians reached the IPL playoffs in the 2023 season under Rohit Sharma, but once he was replaced by Hardik, things drastically changed.
In Hardik’s first season as captain, MI faltered as the franchise finished last with just 4 wins under their belt. However, things improved the following season as the five-time winners reached the playoffs, but lost against the Punjab Kings.
Last season, the performance once again went on a downward curve as MI finished second-last, and Hardik failed to deliver the goods.
With the bat, he scored just 206 runs, with a strike rate of 138, and with the ball, he conceded 259 runs, and picked up just 4 wickets, with an economy of 11.43.
