Hardik Pandya, the captain of the Mumbai Indians, is facing immense scrutiny as his team struggles in the ongoing IPL 2024. With five defeats in eight games, the five-time champions find themselves in the bottom half of the points table.
Pandya’s performance across the board, including his batting, bowling, and captaincy, has come under fire. The latest criticism comes from former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who believes Hardik’s poor form is a concern not just for MI but also for the Indian cricket team, which is expected to announce its squad for the T20 World Cup soon.
Pathan criticized Pandya for his lack of leadership and pointed out specific instances where he has shied away from taking responsibility. He cited the recent match against the Rajasthan Royals, where Pandya sent Mohammad Nabi and Nehal Wadhera to bat ahead of himself despite the team’s precarious position. He also questioned Pandya’s decision to open the bowling match after match, suggesting that he is avoiding tough situations.
Pathan’s comments highlight the pressure mounting on Pandya to improve his performance and inspire his team. With time running out before the playoffs, Pandya needs to rediscover his form and demonstrate the leadership qualities that earned him the captaincy role in the first place. If he fails to do so, he risks losing the respect of his teammates and further jeopardizing Mumbai Indians’ chances of success in IPL 2024.
