Pathan questions Hardik Pandya’s toss call and captaincy after Mumbai’s loss to CSK

Irfan Pathan has been critical of Hardik Pandya’s leadership and batting after Mumbai Indians lost heavily to Chennai Super Kings. The former India all-rounder argued that several decisions went wrong for the home side.

The toss decision

Pathan questioned Mumbai’s choice to chase, calling it a costly mistake on a pitch that helped the bowlers. He said recent trends had favoured teams batting first and felt the call left Mumbai’s batters exposed under pressure.

Tactical choices in the middle overs

He also took issue with Pandya’s on-field leadership. One moment he highlighted was the use of an inexperienced bowler against a well-set batter in the middle overs. Pathan described it as a poor tactical move and said the captain needs to make better decisions in crucial situations.

Concerns over batting

Pathan further raised doubts about Pandya’s form and technique, suggesting he has lacked consistency lately. He pointed to problems with footwork and balance, especially on surfaces with some grip, and recommended adjustments.

Summing up, Pathan said Pandya could have given far more, particularly in a season where Mumbai have been inconsistent. After the defeat, Mumbai Indians dropped to eighth in the table, while Chennai Super Kings rose to fifth.