The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is just a few days away, and defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the opening game of the competition. Ahead of the IPL, teams are taking their final preparation for the upcoming edition of the league.
Five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will also take the field in the very next day against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Ahead of that match, former Delhi Capitals (DC) coach Mohammad Kaif had dropped a massive verdict on MI’s captain Hardik Pandya.
Ex-DC coach lashes out at Hardik Pandya
MI were knocked out of the competition last season in Qualifier 2, against the Punjab Kings. Speaking on Kaif’s YouTube channel, the cricketer turned commentator said that Hardik Pandya looked confused during the game and had no answer to Shreyas Iyer’s amazing batting display on the night that took the game away from MI.
Your daily dose of cricket!
Mohammad Kaif also said that the Mumbai Indians made a mistake of using Rohit Sharma as an impact player, as his presence on the field in the high-stakes game against the Punjab Kings.
Rohit Sharma not being on the ground- Mohammad Kaif
Kaif said, “One thing that they did wrong last year was Rohit Sharma not being on the ground. I don’t think Rohit should be used as the Impact Player. He has won five IPL trophies, the ICC Champions Trophy, and the T20 World Cup as captain.”
“Hardik Pandya will handle things well, but when Shreyas Iyer was hitting sixes after sixes in the Qualifier 2 last year, Hardik Pandya couldn’t understand what to do.”
Rohit Sharma has won so many matches – Kaif explained the importance of the former MI captain
He also mentioned that if Rohit were there in the field, then bowlers and Pandya would have got a boost, as the former India captain has led MI to five IPL titles, and has been their most successful captain of all time, and knows how to handle pressure and make their bowlers work.
Kaif further said, “Ashwani conceded 50-60 runs in that match. During crunch situations, when the bowler is ready to bowl, and Rohit Sharma is standing next to him, there is a sigh of relief.”
“The eye contact, or explaining something with a smile on his face, makes a lot of difference. Rohit Sharma has won so many matches by talking to the bowlers. He was a bowler’s captain.”
He[Hardik Pandya] needs someone to talk – Kaif
Kaif also warned Hardik Pandya not to repeat the same kind of mistake this season, as Mumbai in the last couple of seasons have not performed like a champion team under his leadership.
“I would like to see Hardik Pandya himself tell the head coach or the bosses that he wants Rohit Sharma on the field. He needs someone to talk to in crunch moments. Yes, Suryakumar Yadav is there, and he is also a World Cup-winning captain, but Rohit Sharma’s experience will be very important.”
“Hardik should himself say that he wants Rohit Sharma on the field. It should not be the coach saying that Rohit Sharma won’t be used as an Impact Player and will field. Hardik should say that himself because when he goes to lift the trophy, Rohit Sharma won’t be there, the trophy will be in his name, and he will be the one getting all the recognition and respect.”
Also Read: Spencer Johnson ditches MS Dhoni’s CSK, set for delayed IPL 2026 arrival