R Ashwin: Hardik Pandya's Form is Just One Innings Away from Revival

R Ashwin has weighed in on Hardik Pandya's ongoing struggles with the bat, suggesting it might just take one solid innings to turn things around. After five matches in IPL 2026, Pandya has only managed 96 runs, leaving the Mumbai Indians in a precarious position. Although they began the season promisingly, a string of four consecutive losses had them reeling before a much-needed 99-run victory against Gujarat Titans.

Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, reiterated the potential of the Mumbai Indians if Pandya can rediscover his form. "If he gets a good hit in one innings, it will be very difficult to stop this team," he said. The pressure of captaincy has clearly weighed on Pandya, and Ashwin believes that a recent win could help alleviate some of that burden, allowing Pandya to find his mojo with the bat.

Moreover, Ashwin highlighted the importance of MI's opening pair, Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock, especially with Sharma recovering from injury. De Kock has made a compelling case for a permanent spot after scoring a century in his first match of the season. As MI gears up for a crucial clash against Chennai Super Kings, the stakes couldn't be higher for both Pandya and his team, who currently sit near the bottom of the points table. Can Hardik turn it around against CSK?