Hardik Pandya vs Suryakumar Yadav! Tilak Varma settles the captaincy debate

Hardik Pandya’s captaincy has faced intense criticism following the Mumbai Indians’ four losses in six games so far in the TATA Indian Premier League 2026. The captaincy has been under scrutiny, with Hardik Pandya being a disappointment as a player as well. As Mumbai Indians gear up to face Chennai Super Kings in their next IPL 2026 clash on April 23 at the Wankhede Stadium, young batter Tilak Varma shared his experience of playing under the captaincy of both Hardik Pandya and India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav. Tilak Varma described Hardik’s style as being full of energy, always involved, always pushing players, and trying to lift the mood on the field. He shared an instance of MI’s last game against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, where he smashed an unbeaten century. MI’s captain looked intense during their partnership, but Tilak didn’t feel any pressure and went on to play a strong innings that helped the five-time champions win by 99 runs against the Titans. Speaking about Suryakumar’s style, Tilak said he brings a calmer approach and thinks more about plans, match situations, and small details. However, the Hyderabad batter feels comfortable with both captains’ leadership styles, avoiding picking one over another. Tilak Varma noted that Suryakumar was more tactical, while Hardik keeps motivating players with his energy and backs them unconditionally. Tilak enjoyed playing under both captains and appreciates their unique leadership styles.