The Mumbai Indians, a struggling side in the Indian Premier League (IPL), are reportedly facing internal turbulence as players question the team’s functioning under new captain Hardik Pandya. With the team languishing in the 9th spot in the 10-team competition, the decision to replace Rohit Sharma, the current India skipper who has led the franchise to five IPL titles, hasn’t been well received by all. Hardik has faced criticism and even booing from fans at the start of the season.
An official from the Mumbai Indians (MI) indicated that the unrest is not necessarily a leadership crisis but a normal part of transitioning to a new captain. “These are regular teething problems for a team that sees leadership change. This happens in sports all the time,” the official stated.
Nevertheless, sources report that after a recent game, senior players and coaching staff met to discuss the team’s struggles. Key Indian stars such as Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah were part of this meeting. Over a meal, they aired their concerns and discussed reasons for the team’s poor performance. Following this, some seniors had one-on-one meetings with team management representatives.
Adding to the tension, Hardik Pandya’s post-match comments after a loss to Delhi Capitals criticized Tilak Varma, the team’s top scorer, for lacking “match awareness.” Hardik suggested that the game’s outcome might have been different if Varma had made better decisions during Axar Patel’s bowling. These remarks reportedly did not sit well with the team, with some players feeling Hardik unfairly blamed one individual for the team’s defeat.
Experts and commentators have noted a lack of cohesion within the Mumbai Indians this season. Former Australia captain Michael Clarke went as far as suggesting that the franchise seems divided into factions, indicating that something is amiss in the team’s dynamics. “I think there are different groups inside that changing room and something is not working. They are not gelling together, they are not playing as a team,” Clarke commented.
Mumbai Indians officials have stated that the franchise will review the season’s outcomes and, if necessary, make decisions regarding the team’s future. As the IPL progresses, it remains to be seen whether Hardik Pandya can lead the team through these turbulent times and restore harmony among the players.
