IPL 2026: 'You can bowl this too, right?' - R Ashwin questions Hardik Pandya's death-over call

NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned a key decision by Hardik Pandya during Indian Premier League 2026, after Mumbai Indians’ loss to Chennai Super Kings.

The debate centres around Pandya asking young pacer Krish Bhagat to bowl crucial death overs, which went expensive and helped CSK finish strongly.

Bhagat bowled the 16th and 20th overs and gave away 31 runs, raising eyebrows since Pandya himself still had overs left.

Ashwin felt the captain should have taken responsibility in that pressure moment.

“With Hardik Pandya, I don’t have any personal relationship with him, but I always feel that he is a box office player. It is easy to say things about Hardik Pandya now, but today, when he gave Krish Bhagat the final over, I admit that Pandya went for 38 runs in two overs. But if a player can bowl the final over of the 2024 T20 World Cup against David Miller, you can bowl this too, right?” Ashwin said.

He added, “Krish Bhagat does not have that much experience, I like how he bowled, he did not do too badly, but Pandya can take up that pressure. What’s the worst that will happen?”

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Pressure and form concerns

Ashwin also pointed out that Pandya might still be dealing with the pressure of leading Mumbai Indians after replacing Rohit Sharma.

“What happened to Hardik Pandya after he came to MI after the trade, was too much for an individual to handle. You replaced a great like Rohit Sharma, and got booed by his own fans in his own stadium. That is a lot to deal with emotionally. You are only as good as your team as a captain,” he said.

Pandya’s form this season has been below par. However, coach Mahela Jayawardene backed him, saying, “I don’t think, to be honest. It is not a concern. He started well… overall, we haven’t been consistent.”

Mumbai Indians now look ahead to their next match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.