Something is wrong with Mumbai Indians this IPL – but not just on the field. Teams don’t win every match in cricket, but what’s noticeable in IPL 2026 is the uncertainty of the team’s play. There is a lack of passion, purpose and even thought in the way the team plays.
And at the heart of it is Hardik Pandya, whose captaincy has been a hot topic this season. Not because of a poor performance but because things haven’t really clicked since he became the captain. His play hasn’t been as consistent and, more importantly, the team isn’t solid.
Former cricketer Simon Doull recently said something interesting – it may not just be performance, it’s chemistry. Being the coach of a team like Mumbai is about more than strategy. When you have players in the dressing room who have been team captains and have big expectations, it makes the leadership challenge harder.
That’s where the challenge lies.
Hardik has played in a team where he was required to develop the team culture before. In this case it’s different. The framework was there, the culture was there, and he had to now merge into that world – and that hasn’t happened yet.
Now, we’re not seeing just a decline in performance, but we’re seeing a team that is still struggling to find its feet. There are no clear roles, and in crunch situations, there hasn’t been much decision-making. That can be an indicator of a team in transition.
It’s not about winning and losing for Mumbai Indians any more. It’s about direction. Will they stick with this cycle, and let things shake out, or are they going to make some changes to the team structure?
Because in IPL, you can get your mojo back – but your clarity of leadership will determine how far you go.
