MI will kick-start their campaign at home against three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The side had reached Qualifier 2 in IPL 2025 before losing to eventual runners-up Punjab Kings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I think Hardik Pandya needs to unleash his real Hardik Pandya version. He needs to bring his A game to the table. Once he starts playing his A game, not just as a batter but as a bowler as well, it will make a huge difference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe saw him bowl in the T20 World Cup. He was brilliant with the ball. That is what he needs to do in the IPL as well. When a captain leads from the front and shows the way, everyone follows. It will come down to belief.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf Hardik and his men believe from day one that they are not just there to compete, but to lift the trophy for the sixth time, things can change very quickly for MI,\" said Harbhajan on JioStar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Harbhajan also weighed in on a selection dilemma at the top of the MI batting order, saying the team's management was unlikely to field both South Africa wicketkeeper-batters Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock in the same starting eleven, given the presence of explosive opener Rohit Sharma.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf Hardik and his men believe from day one that they are not just there to compete, but to lift the trophy for the sixth time, things can change very quickly for MI,\" said Harbhajan on JioStar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe will be the main opener with either Ryan Rickelton or Quinton de Kock giving him company at the other end. Then Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma will come in at three and four. So I don't think we will see Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton playing together at the same time,\" added Harbhajan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n