Hardik Pandya should step down from captaincy says Ambati Rayudu advice

Former Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu has shared his perspective on the future of Hardik Pandya and his role as a captain, while rayudu firmly believes that Hardik Pandya should step down from the captaincy in the IPL. Whether he remains with the Mumbai Indians or moves to a new franchise like the Punjab Kings, he should focus solely on enjoying his game as a player, while currently, trade discussions between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings regarding Hardik Pandya have intensified. According to Rayudu, the all-rounder needs to stay away from the pressure of leadership and focus on his mental state and his performance on the field.

The Burden of Captaincy and Mental Peace

Discussions between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings regarding Hardik Pandya and Indian fast bowler Arshdeep Singh have progressed Notably. Although no official deal has been finalized yet, Punjab Kings appears to be at the forefront of signing Hardik. Shreyas Iyer is expected to continue as the captain of Punjab Kings, which implies that if Hardik moves there, he won't be the captain. Rayudu feels this is the ideal situation for the 32-year-old Hardik. He suggested that Hardik should gradually integrate into the new environment, understand the franchise culture, and avoid taking on too much responsibility immediately.

Sharing his thoughts, Rayudu said, If I were in Hardik's place, I would want to go to a team where I can enjoy my game, where my mental state is good, and I don't take too much burden immediately. Settle into the franchise comfortably, learn the culture, join the leadership group, and eventually, if he wants, take the reins. Right now, I think he should just go out on the field and play good cricket.

The Captaincy Crisis at Mumbai Indians

Ambati Rayudu also believes that even if Hardik stays with the Mumbai Indians, he shouldn't be the captain. After returning to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans before IPL 2024, he was made the captain replacing Rohit Sharma, but his last two seasons have been quite challenging. Mumbai Indians failed to qualify for the playoffs in these two seasons. Rayudu mentioned that Hardik might have felt pushed into a corner at Mumbai. When a player feels this way, they're always under pressure. He added that a lot has not gone right for Hardik, and now he should play only as a player so that he can win matches for the Mumbai Indians.

The Role of Punjab Kings and Ricky Ponting

Rayudu clarified that he doesn't want Hardik to become a captain in any team. However, he acknowledged that Mumbai Indians wouldn't want to let go of a talented player like Hardik easily. The franchise had previously allowed him to join Gujarat Titans, where he won the title in 2022. Rayudu believes that Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting is the right person who can help Hardik settle into a new environment and guide his mental state in the right direction.

Hardik's Performance and Injury Woes

Hardik Pandya's second stint with the Mumbai Indians has been a mixed bag. Since his return in 2024, he has scored 646 runs in 39 matches, with an average of around 22 rupees 30 paise and a strike rate of 148 rupees 80 paise. He has also taken 29 wickets, including a career-best performance of 536 in IPL 2025. However, in 2026, back spasms forced him to miss three matches. Subsequently, during rehabilitation, he suffered from quadriceps strain and calf injuries, while hardik has not played any competitive cricket since his last IPL appearance on May 24 and is working at the BCCI Center of Excellence for his comeback. Indian captain Shubman Gill has also confirmed that he must play domestic cricket before being considered for an international return.