IPL 2026: Kieron Pollard Says Mumbai Indians Did Everything Possible For Hardik Pandya

Kieron Pollard admitted that Hardik Pandya’s captaincy stint with Mumbai Indians “has not gone as well” as expected after the five-time IPL champions endured a disappointing 2026 campaign, finishing ninth in the points table. Speaking after Mumbai’s defeat to Rajasthan Royals in their final league match on Sunday, Pollard said the franchise had done everything possible to support Hardik in his leadership role.

The Mumbai Indians batting coach acknowledged that both the team management and Hardik would have expected a much stronger campaign. “From a leadership perspective on Hardik, yes, it has not gone as well as he would have wanted as an individual,” Pollard told reporters. He added that the franchise had tried “each and everything” to provide the all-rounder with the best opportunity to succeed as captain, but the results did not go in the team’s favour.

Despite the underwhelming season, Pollard refused to place blame solely on Hardik and described the campaign as a collective failure. He said the squad was unable to maintain momentum or consistently string together victories during the tournament. According to Pollard, Mumbai Indians ultimately finished in a position that reflected the standard of cricket they played throughout the season.

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Speculation has already started regarding Hardik’s long-term future as captain, especially after his struggles both as a leader and as an all-round performer during the campaign. However, Pollard indicated that the management would avoid making emotional or rushed decisions regarding the team’s structure or senior players. He stressed that the franchise would conduct a detailed review before taking any major calls ahead of the next IPL season.

Pollard also defended the decision to rest star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah for Mumbai’s final match of the season, calling it the “smarter option.” He said Bumrah remains a vital asset for Indian cricket and there was little benefit in risking him in a dead rubber when the team was already out of playoff contention. The former all-rounder added that the management wanted to give younger players opportunities and assess the squad’s depth.

Reflecting on the overall season, Pollard described it as a campaign filled with “what-ifs” and disappointment for everyone associated with the franchise. Mumbai Indians, who finished third in the 2025 edition of the IPL, failed to replicate that form this year and struggled with consistency across departments. Pollard expressed hope that the team would regroup, analyse its shortcomings thoroughly and return stronger in the next edition of the tournament.

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