‘No one is going to point fingers’ – Pollard on Hardik’s captaincy – No one is going to point fingers – Pollard on Hardik’s captaincy
A Season of ‘What-Ifs’ for the Five-Time Champions
The IPL 2026 campaign has drawn to a disappointing close for Mumbai Indians (MI). Following their final league match defeat against Rajasthan Royals (RR), the franchise finished a dismal ninth on the points table. For a team accustomed to championship glory, the season has been a hard pill to swallow, characterized by missed opportunities and inconsistent performances.
Reflecting on the campaign, Mumbai Indians batting coach Kieron Pollard described the season as one filled with regret and missed chances. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Pollard acknowledged the frustration felt by everyone associated with the franchise. He noted that the team simply could not establish any consistent momentum throughout the tournament, failing to capitalize when opportunities arose. He stated that the campaign was disappointing for the entire group, including the loyal fan base, and emphasized that there was no hiding from their poor run of form.
Evaluating the Leadership Under Pressure
One of the major talking points of the season has been the performance and leadership of captain Hardik Pandya. With Mumbai Indians failing to capture an IPL title since 2020, the pressure on the leadership group has intensified. However, Pollard was quick to shut down any attempts to scapegoat the skipper, offering a strong defense of his captain.
Addressing the team’s internal dynamics, the batting coach emphasized collective responsibility over individual pointing of fingers. When discussing Hardik’s captaincy, Pollard admitted that while things did not go as smoothly as the captain himself would have desired individually, the support staff and players did everything possible to set him up for success. Pollard made it clear that during tough times, the entire group must share the blame, stating that the captain was trying, the team was trying, and ultimately, things just did not fall into place as a collective unit.
The Strategic Shift and Retentions Debate
The franchise’s disappointing finish has naturally raised questions about roster construction and tactical decisions. Pollard urged critics and fans to maintain perspective, pointing out that the team finished fourth in the preceding IPL 2025 season. He explained that finishing in the top four just twelve months prior justified many of the strategic retention and release decisions made leading into the current cycle.
However, Pollard admitted that finishing ninth requires a completely different level of self-evaluation. Rather than making emotional decisions in the immediate aftermath of a loss, he advocated for a calm, strategic assessment of where things went wrong. According to the batting coach, taking the time to step away, reflect, and gather a clear understanding of the team’s shortcomings will lead to much better decision-making for the franchise’s future, rather than making rash, irresponsible pronouncements immediately after the season’s conclusion.
Managing Jasprit Bumrah‘s Fitness and Form
Another prominent issue during MI’s IPL 2026 run was the form and physical condition of premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah endured his leanest IPL season in terms of wickets since 2015, a year in which he featured in only four games and took three wickets. In IPL 2026, despite maintaining a highly respectable economy rate of 8.37, Bumrah managed to claim only four wickets throughout the entire tournament.
Pollard shed light on the challenges Bumrah faced, revealing that the fast bowler joined the squad carrying a physical niggle following his participation in the T20 World Cup. The coaching staff focused heavily on managing his workload, as Bumrah was clearly not at his absolute peak physical fitness. Despite these limitations, Bumrah continued to push himself to deliver for the franchise.
This management strategy culminated in Bumrah being rested for Mumbai Indians’ final league match of the season against Rajasthan Royals. Defending the selection decision, Pollard argued that playing Bumrah in a dead-rubber game where qualification was already out of reach made little sense. He emphasized that Bumrah is an invaluable asset not just for Mumbai Indians, but for Indian cricket as a whole. Consequently, the team management opted to give bench players and younger bowlers an opportunity while prioritizing the long-term fitness of their star bowler.
A Thorough Post-Mortem Awaits Mumbai Indians
With the campaign officially over, Mumbai Indians are preparing for a deep and comprehensive review of their operations. Pollard assured stakeholders that the upcoming post-mortem would be thorough, with everyone taking the necessary time and space to analyze the strategic errors of the past few months. As the five-time champions look to rebuild and recapture their winning culture, the focus remains firmly on collective improvement and long-term planning.
Rohan Kapoor is a cricket editor and sports content analyst based in New Delhi with over 6 years of experience covering IPL, T20 leagues, and international cricket. He specializes in match analysis, player statistics, and tactical breakdowns, bringing data-driven insights to modern cricket audiences across India.
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