Mumbai Indians have found the IPL stretch difficult, particularly with their usual captain Hardik Pandya unavailable, but all-rounder Corbin Bosch insisted the franchise still has to move ahead and focus on the cricket. Speaking on Wednesday, Bosch said the tournament keeps going regardless of setbacks, even as MI look to regroup after recent disappointment.
MI’s hopes took a hit after a narrow defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur on Sunday. The loss effectively ended their playoff ambitions for the current season, and Pandya missed the match because of a back spasm. It was the third league game this campaign in which the skipper could not feature, following absences in fixtures against Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants—one away and one at home.
Bosch acknowledged how much Pandya’s role matters, not just in leadership but also on the field. “It’s been tough. Hardik is not only a leader, he’s also a fantastic cricketer. We’ve felt the difference in his presence during matches,” Bosch said to reporters on the eve of MI’s encounter against Punjab Kings.
The all-rounder added that the people handling team decisions and Pandya’s care are doing their best for both the player and the side. “I’m confident those making the calls and the people looking after him are trying to do what’s best for him and for the team,” Bosch said.
While describing the situation as challenging, Bosch stressed that the team cannot afford to dwell on it and must continue playing their brand of cricket. “It has been tricky, but at the same time the game moves forward. We still have to play cricket, so it’s one of those things,” he added.
Suryakumar Yadav has taken on leadership responsibilities in each of the three occasions when Pandya was sidelined, and the India T20I captain could be handed the captaincy again for a fourth time this Thursday against Punjab Kings.
Mumbai Indians currently sit second from the bottom in the points table among the league’s 10 teams, and Bosch pointed to the team’s inability to deliver a complete performance as a major reason behind their struggles. He said inconsistencies have prevented MI from turning promising phases into full, match-winning displays.
“We haven’t put together a full game. In one match, the bowlers do well but the batters struggle a little, and then in the next one, the batters might do well while the bowlers don’t. That balance hasn’t been there,” Bosch said.
Bosch also highlighted that the crucial moments—precisely the kind MI teams have traditionally turned into victories—have not gone their way this season. “The key phases of matches, which this team is known for winning, we just haven’t managed that year. Maybe we’ve dropped important chances at important stages, and those swings have moved the game in the other direction,” he explained.
He concluded by saying that even though results have not favored them, the team approaches every game with the intention to leave no opportunity unexplored. “It’s a mix of factors, but before each match we make sure we leave no stone unturned,” Bosch added.
On the other side, Punjab Kings assistant bowling coach Trevor Gonsalves said the group is staying anchored to cricketing priorities and is not getting pulled off course by the chatter surrounding the franchise.
Punjab Kings, who were runners-up last season, have drawn extra attention on social media due to off-field conduct involving some players. When asked about how the squad is handling the online noise and criticism, Gonsalves said the way established players manage themselves under scrutiny is essential.
“Yes, today social media plays a big role, and the coverage in the media plays a big role too. How the key individuals handle themselves against all of this is absolutely important,” Gonsalves said.
Gonsalves added that managing such issues is not something that can simply be taught. “You don’t need anyone to teach them, first of all. They’re experienced enough. They know how to control themselves. From our side, we’re more focused on the cricketing side,” he said.
He also noted that social media allows anyone to post claims, and that large numbers of people can quickly react to those posts. “Any blogger or any person can go and put up anything on social media, and there are lakhs of people agreeing to it and saying yes or no. But honestly, we’re not too concerned about what social media says,” Gonsalves remarked.
For the present, Gonsalves said the only priority is what happens next on the field. “At the moment, we’re only concerned and worried about tomorrow’s game and how we keep moving forward in the cricketing part,” he concluded.
