Mumbai Indians were the first team to be eliminated from the IPL 2026 playoff race, and their star players including Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah coming under severe criticism for poor performance this season. Hardik Pandya also came under heavy criticism for his captaincy and poor form with the bat.
Speaking on Cricbuzz during an expert discussion, former England captain Michael Vaughan suggested that Hardik should be released by Mumbai Indians. But was quick to add, “Replace him with Cameron Green.”
Vaughan continued and said that he never understood the point of Hardik moving back to MI when he did so well at Gujarat Titans, leading them to back-to-back IPL finals and winning a title too. “No. I have seen enough. I didn’t really see the dynamic of bringing him back. He was doing well with the Gujarat Titans, won a title there with a different set of players and a different coach. I feel Mumbai have got too many chefs in the kitchen,” Vaughan said.
Hardik joined back MI ahead of the 2024 season where the team finished at the bottom half in his first season as skipper. The next season, he led MI to Qualifier 2, and this year they failed to reach the playoffs. Former KKR team director Joy Bhattacharjya also agreed with Vaughan and said Hardik should be released because the experiment has not worked.
“Release him. He has had three seasons with him, and clearly the experiment hasn’t worked,” he said.
Joy said the idea of keeping him as a player won’t work either. “It doesn’t make sense. It will be difficult for him to play just as a player. It will be better for both Mumbai and Hardik,” he added.
Vaughan again brought up the Green-Hardik swap suggestion and said: “If he wants to carry on as captain, then he’d better be with a fresh set of players. Maybe KKR. Kolkata will be looking for a new captain. That is why the Green-Hardik swap.”
