Hardik Pandya [Source: AP]Mumbai Indians slumped to a huge 103-run defeat against CSK in match number 33 of the IPL 2026 season. The outcome marked Mumbai Indians’ fifth defeat of the season to fall to the brink of a certain elimination from the season’s playoffs race. In the process, captain Hardik Pandya has proven to be largely ineffective for his franchise, both as an all-rounder and as a leader. Amidst the team’s recent struggles, a former Pakistani cricketer has urged the franchise to remove Pandya from the high-profile captaincy role. Kamran Akmal wants Hardik Pandya to play only as a ‘player’ Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has called for the removal of Hardik Pandya as Mumbai Indians captain. The cricket expert believes that the 32-year-old should play without any leadership role, since the team is languishing at the bottom half of the points table this IPL 2026 season under his guidance. Also Read- Hardik Pandya's Mumbai Indians Achieve IPL's Most Shameful Record At Wankhede StadiumKamran Akmal said “I don’t understand when Mumbai will axe Hardik as the captain. They are at the bottom of the table. I feel Hardik should just play as a player.”Akmal further stated that the added leadership responsibility is also affecting Hardik Pandya’s performance as a player. According to him, the star all-rounder will start performing to the best of his abilities if the captaincy load is taken off him. He added “Look at the performance of MI. Look at the performance of Pandya himself. He is an all-rounder and is among the best players. If you take out the captaincy load on him, his batting and bowling will improve.” Hardik Pandya’s performance in IPL 2026 Hardik Pandya missed one game earlier in the IPL 2026 season against the Delhi Capitals owing to a slight injury concern. In the six matches he led the team, the Mumbai Indians franchise has managed to secure just two wins and sustained four defeats. Having suffered five defeats overall from seven matches this season, the franchise is currently placed at number eight on the IPL 2026 points table with a dismal NRR of -0.736. Even as a player, the star all-rounder has managed to score just 97 runs in six innings with the bat at a below par average of 19.40. As a bowler, the cricketer has scalped just three wickets at an expensive bowling average of 63.33 and with an economy rate of 12.66. Pandya hints changes in team Following Mumbai Indians’ huge defeat against CSK on April 23 at the Wankhede Stadium, skipper Pandya teased the possibility of making some big changes going ahead in the tournament. His post-match remarks may well have been targeted at several of Mumbai Indians’ underperforming senior stars, such as legendary fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and senior batter Suryakumar Yadav. Ranked number eight on the points table, the franchise needs to win at least six of its remaining seven matches in a bid to stay in contention for the playoffs. They will now face the SRH in match number 41 of the tournament on Wednesday, April 29 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Also Read- Ajit Agarkar's Chief Selector Extension Foiled! BCCI Avoids Clearance
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