Hardik Pandya Urged to Unleash True Potential to Lead Mumbai Indians to Sixth IPL Trophy

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya must 'unleash his real version' and lead assertively if the five-time champions are to mount a significant challenge in the upcoming IPL.

Under Pandya’s leadership, MI aims to end a five-year trophy drought and establish itself as the most successful franchise in the league’s history.

“I think Hardik Pandya needs to unleash his real Hardik Pandya version. He needs to bring his A game to the table. Once he starts playing his A game, not just as a batter but as a bowler as well, it will make a huge difference,” Harbhajan Singh said on JioHotstar’s ‘Game Plan.’

We saw him bowl in the T20 World Cup. He was brilliant with the ball. That is what he needs to do in the IPL as well. When a captain leads from the front and shows the way, everyone follows. It will come down to belief. If Hardik and his men believe from day one that they are not just there to compete, but to lift the trophy for the sixth time, things can change very quickly for MI,” he added.

Harbhajan also mentioned that it is unlikely the team management will field both Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton in the playing XI simultaneously.

“I don’t think the MI team management will make both Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton start in the playing XI together. Only one of these two guys will feature in the starting line-up,” he said.

Harbhajan noted that Rohit Sharma will continue to anchor the top order, with either de Kock or Rickelton opening alongside him.

“Making both of them play will be difficult because MI also have Rohit Sharma at the top. He will be the main opener with either Ryan Rickelton or Quinton de Kock giving him company at the other end. Then Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma will come in at three and four. So I don’t think we will see Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton playing together at the same time,” he concluded.