Watch: ‘Not captaincy material…’- Dale Steyn drops bombshell on Hardik Pandya amid struggling IPL 2026

Mumbai Indians ended their three-match losing streak in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 when they earned a massive six-wicket victory against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. They were excellent in the batting department in completing the 229-run chase. 

See Also: MI vs LSG Head-to-Head IPL 2026 Stats: Who Has Dominated This Rivalry So Far?

However, in this victory, the five-time champions didn’t get their regular captain, Hardik Pandya, who was ruled out of the contest due to a back spasm. Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav took charge and was decent in a few tactics to slow down the opponents in the middle overs after a nightmarish first six overs of the bowling. 

Dale Steyn gives shocking statement on Hardik Pandya’s captaincy

The former South Africa pacer, Dale Steyn, has dropped a bombshell on the leadership of Hardik for the Mumbai Indians. He reckoned that the franchise had been struggling only because of his leadership, which, in a way, had affected his batting.

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“I think Hardik Pandya is also not a good captaincy choice. When someone else is captaining him, you see the best of him. I genuinely believe he’s a better player without the captaincy pressure looming over his head.” Steyn expressed in a YouTube video.

“He’s a much better bowler for India than he is for the Mumbai Indians, and a better batter for India than for MI. It all comes down to the captaincy. I feel MI is struggling this season because of it.” The former Protea pacer addressed.

Hardik has smashed 146 runs in eight innings at an average of 20.85 in the IPL 2026 at a strike rate of 136.44, with the best score of 40. He has struggled for only four wickets in eight innings at an economy rate of around 12.

See Also: IPL 2026: Can Mumbai Indians still qualify for playoffs? Full qualification scenario explained

“Hardik is a classic case in point for me. I mean, he walks the talk. He looks like he's made of money when he plays. He wins World Cups and captains' sides. So, these players are going, this is my hero. This is how things are done. It's not hindering me. That's who I want to become, and that's the lifestyle that I want to live.” The former pacer concluded.

Mumbai Indians keep playoffs chances alive 

With the victory of the MI side against the LSG franchise, they have found themselves in the ninth position of the points table. They are at the penultimate position among the ten franchises, having recorded three victories in 10 games at a net run rate of -0.649.

See Also: MI vs LSG Playing 11 Today IPL 2026 – Who will win Toss?

 After a week’s break, they will be up against the Rajat Patidar-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 10 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. If they win all the clashes for the remainder of the event and a few results go their way, then MI can qualify for the playoffs.