Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya. (AP Photo)

MUMBAI: Captaining five-time champions Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings is never a straightforward task. The challenge becomes even more daunting when the men in charge are asked to fill the towering shoes of Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni, figures who enjoy near-mythical status at their respective franchises. MI skipper Hardik Pandya and CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad are discovering firsthand how heavy that burden can be.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!As the IPL heavyweights prepare to lock horns at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, the spotlight will not only be on two sides desperate to resurrect faltering campaigns but also on captains struggling to find form while navigating the pressures of leadership.Both Pandya and Gaikwad entered the 19th edition of the IPL with impressive credentials. Pandya had a stellar 2025, scoring 217 runs and claiming nine wickets, playing a pivotal role in India’s triumph at the 2026 T20 World Cup. Gaikwad, meanwhile, enjoyed a solid domestic season for Maharashtra before marking his return to the Indian ODI side with a century against South Africa in Dec 2025. However, the transition from individual success to leading high-profile IPL franchises has been anything but smooth.Pandya’s struggles have been particularly stark. The 32-year-old has managed just 96 runs in five matches this season, with his declining effectiveness in the death overs becoming increasingly evident. His last two innings, a laboured 14 off 12 balls against Punjab Kings and a scratchy 15 off 16 deliveries versus Gujarat Titans, have underlined his inability to dominate opposition bowling attacks when it matters most.With the ball too, Pandya has not been potent. He has taken only three wickets while conceding runs at an economy rate of 11.69, a worrying spike from his career average of 9.29.

Rohit and Dhoni have a hitThe availability of Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni for Thursday’s clash remains uncertain, with both players subject to fitness assessments by their respective medical teams.“MS, we will know today. That decision will be made once the medical staff is completely satisfied that he is ready to go,” CSK bowling consultant Eric Simons said on Wednesday. Both, though, had a hit in the nets on match eve.