The Mumbai Indians (MI) have advanced to the playoffs for the eleventh time in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, and star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has made a spectacular return as captain. The five-time IPL champions had one of their worst seasons last year, but the daring all-rounder has triumphed over those setbacks.
In addition to demonstrating his leadership abilities, the 2024 T20 World Champion put on some outstanding performances in the IPL 2025. In addition to amassing 161 runs at a respectable strike rate of 161, Pandya has taken 13 wickets in his 12 games thus far, ranking among the team’s top wicket-takers. Ajay Jadeja, a former middle order batsman and captain of India, commended the Baroda player for his unwavering perseverance and capacity to inspire the team even in trying situations.
“Hardik Pandya has been outstanding. He’s got the drive.
His approach to captaining is different. Regretfully, the previous season was a failure. He has maintained his composure. Regardless of whether he was at GT or last year, he has continued to lead. He is a great inspiration. One man who has demonstrated that he never gives up is him. Yes, he is receiving assistance from a top-notch analytical staff. But the vitality he infuses! Jadeja stated during a JioStar discussion.
“Hardik has been outstanding. He’s got the drive. His approach to captaining is different. Regretfully, the previous season was a failure. He has maintained his composure. Regardless of whether he was at GT or last year, he has continued to lead. He is a great inspiration. One man who has demonstrated that he never gives up is him. Yes, he is receiving assistance from a top-notch analytical staff. However, the vitality he infuses! He went on.
It’s great to see that a man who had a very difficult season with the same team, same stadium, and same supporters has turned things around. The same supporters who jeered him at this stadium last year are now applauding him. That demonstrates his personality. The former India batsman came to the conclusion that you should always have a leader like him, not only when you’re winning but also when you’re losing.
Can Mumbai Indians earn a top-two finish?
Though MI will be pleased to have made it into the playoffs, they might also take a chance at trying to secure a top-two finish. This will be tough for the Men in Blue and Gold, as they will not only have to win their last remaining match against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the league stage, but also hope that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and PBKS lose their last two games.
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