Mumbai, May 25:
Kieron Pollard has admitted that Hardik Pandya’s captaincy stint with Mumbai Indians has not gone according to plan after the franchise endured a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign.
Mumbai Indians finished ninth in the 10-team table following a 30-run defeat to Rajasthan Royals in their final league match, ending the season with 10 losses in 14 games.
Speaking after the match, Pollard said the season had been difficult both for Pandya personally and for the management group.
“From a leadership perspective on Hardik, yes, it has not gone as well as he would have wanted as an individual,” Pollard said. “It might not have gone the way we wanted as a management staff either, but we tried everything possible to give him the best opportunity to lead the franchise.”
Pollard, however, stressed that the disappointing campaign was a collective failure and refused to single out Pandya for criticism.