Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Hardik Pandya to turn his form amid the ongoing IPL 2026. Mumbai Indians registered a comprehensive 99-run win against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Monday. 

Pandya was dismissed after scoring 15 runs off 16 balls against his former team by Mohammed Siraj. The MI skipper has scored 96 runs in five matches at an average of 24 and a strike rate of 143.28 in the ongoing IPL 2026.

“Remember that Hardik Pandya is yet to open up with the bat. He will also start opening up with the bat. It is just a matter of one innings. If he gets a good hit in one innings, it will be very difficult to stop this team. If this team starts firing, it will become very difficult to stop them. Hardik Pandya was not getting the win as captain, and there was pressure on him, and that pressure comes into your batting as well. With this win, chances are high that Hardik Pandya will find his mojo with the bat.” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin added it was a crucial win for Mumbai Indians as well as the IPL as the five-time champions had lost their last four games. The former Indian all-rounder wants MI to continue with Quinton de Kock when Rohit Sharma returns to the playing XI.

“This win was important for MI, and also important for the IPL. See, they have a good team, and the way MI were losing with this team, they would have been really upset about it. When you have Quinton de Kock, you have to continue with him even after Rohit Sharma comes in. I agree Rickelton is a very good player, but de Kock is de Kock. That is the absolute bottom line. Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock will form a very strong opening combination,” R Ashwin added.

Mumbai Indians will next take on Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.