Harbhajan Singh urges Mumbai Indians to stop micromanaging star players after Qualifier 2 loss

Harbhajan Singh has openly criticized the Mumbai Indians' support staff, particularly head coach Mahela Jayawardene, for excessive interference during their recent Qualifier 2 loss to Punjab Kings. The five-time IPL champions were defeated by five wickets, and Harbhajan believes the team's performance suffered due to "too much involvement from the outside."

The former Mumbai Indians player, who won three titles with the franchise between 2008 and 2017, emphasized that experienced players like skipper Hardik Pandya, former captain Rohit Sharma, and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah are well aware of what it takes to win matches and titles. He urged the franchise to "let them do what they need to do" rather than micromanaging their every move.

Harbhajan expressed discomfort with the visible desperation from the dugout, particularly from Jayawardene and bowling coach Lasith Malinga, during the match at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. He stated, "A dressing room needs to remain calm and composed. Coaches should only give advice. Don’t show desperation."

This criticism follows a viral video from the previous Eliminator match against Gujarat Titans, where Jayawardene was seen giving intense instructions to Bumrah, which some felt was excessive. Harbhajan reminded the coaching staff that these players are "proven performers who have won the IPL several times before" and suggested that sometimes it is better to "just sit and execute your plans in the dugout rather than constantly being at the players' ears."

Jayawardene, a former Sri Lankan captain and batting legend, had previously coached Mumbai Indians from 2017 to 2022, leading them to three IPL titles, and returned ahead of the 18th season. Despite his successful tenure, Harbhajan's comments highlight a growing concern about the balance between coaching input and player autonomy in high-pressure matches.

Harbhajan Singh criticized Mumbai Indians' support staff, including coach Mahela Jayawardene, for micromanaging star players during their Qualifier 2 loss to Punjab Kings. He urged the franchise to trust experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah to execute plans without excessive outside interference.