IPL 2026: Hardik Pandya hints at ‘difficult calls’ as Mumbai Indians searches for ‘spark’ in faltering campaign It may still be early in the season, but Mumbai Indians has already drifted into troubled waters, managing just one win from its first five matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The concern is no longer simmering; it’s out in the open. Following a seven-wicket loss to Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium, captain Hardik Pandya admitted that the team may need to take “difficult calls” if needed.
Even head coach Mahela Jayawardene, typically measured in his assessments, conceded that the side is still searching for the elusive “spark.” He pointed to the bowling unit as a key area of concern but was quick to stress that the responsibility does not lie with the captain alone.
“I don’t think it’s just on Hardik, I think it’s on every one of us when we are not doing well,” Jayawardene said. “It’s not an individual. It’s pretty much on me, everyone involved in the management and all that to see how we can be better.”
Despite insisting that the team hasn’t been completely outplayed, Jayawardene acknowledged that opposition sides have been sharper and more clinical, riding high on confidence. “We need to control the phases we can,” he added.
While the batting unit, particularly Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, has come under scrutiny for inconsistency, the bigger worry remains the lack of bite in the bowling. Jasprit Bumrah has been economical but wicketless, while Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar have failed to make a significant impact.
Jayawardene also pointed to disruptions caused by injuries and availability issues. Rohit Sharma missed the last game due to injury, while Mitchell Santner was sidelined by illness.
“The games we lost were all different, and some combinations were forced upon us,” he said. “We are trying to build with what we have, but we are finding some spark in certain areas, but the other side is finding that especially with the ball…”
With the season already slipping away, Mumbai Indians must regroup quickly and make decisive changes before facing Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.
Published on Apr 17, 2026
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It may still be early in the season, but Mumbai Indians has already drifted into troubled waters, managing just one win from its first five matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The concern is no longer simmering; it’s out in the open. Following a seven-wicket loss to Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium, captain Hardik Pandya admitted that the team may need to take “difficult calls” if needed.
Even head coach Mahela Jayawardene, typically measured in his assessments, conceded that the side is still searching for the elusive “spark.” He pointed to the bowling unit as a key area of concern but was quick to stress that the responsibility does not lie with the captain alone.
“I don’t think it’s just on Hardik, I think it’s on every one of us when we are not doing well,” Jayawardene said. “It’s not an individual. It’s pretty much on me, everyone involved in the management and all that to see how we can be better.”
Despite insisting that the team hasn’t been completely outplayed, Jayawardene acknowledged that opposition sides have been sharper and more clinical, riding high on confidence. “We need to control the phases we can,” he added.
While the batting unit, particularly Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, has come under scrutiny for inconsistency, the bigger worry remains the lack of bite in the bowling. Jasprit Bumrah has been economical but wicketless, while Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar have failed to make a significant impact.
Jayawardene also pointed to disruptions caused by injuries and availability issues. Rohit Sharma missed the last game due to injury, while Mitchell Santner was sidelined by illness.
“The games we lost were all different, and some combinations were forced upon us,” he said. “We are trying to build with what we have, but we are finding some spark in certain areas, but the other side is finding that especially with the ball…”
With the season already slipping away, Mumbai Indians must regroup quickly and make decisive changes before facing Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.
Published on Apr 17, 2026
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