Ravichandran Ashwin criticized Hardik Pandya’s captaincy decisions after Mumbai Indians lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in an IPL 2026 match. Ashwin pointed out MI’s tactical bowling errors, particularly the use of Mayank Markande against Rajat Patidar, who hit three consecutive sixes off Markande in the 11th over. Ashwin highlighted a previous game where Patidar had dominated spin bowling.
Ashwin questioned the decision to give Markande the ball against Patidar, emphasizing Patidar’s strength against spinners. He felt the pitch was not spinner-friendly, as even MI’s Mitchell Santner conceded 43 runs. Ashwin believed MI’s bowling approach allowed Patidar to settle quickly and build momentum, leading to a quick fifty off 17 balls.
This is not the first time Ashwin has criticized Pandya’s captaincy. He had previously suggested Suryakumar Yadav as a better captain for MI. Despite Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten 71*, MI fell short of RCB’s target of 241, ending at 222/5. RCB’s strong batting performance, with half-centuries from Phil Salt, Patidar, and Virat Kohli, secured their victory.
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