Mumbai Indians’ dismal performance under Hardik Pandya’s leadership has prompted indirect criticism from South African pace legend Dale Steyn. Taking to Twitter, Steyn expressed his frustration with players’ failure to voice their honest opinions after matches, singling out Pandya for his routine smiles despite the team’s struggles. Steyn expressed his admiration for Quinton de Kock’s candor after matches, contrasting it with the general lack of honesty within the team.
Steyn’s criticism follows Mumbai Indians’ heavy defeat to Rajasthan Royals on Monday, their fifth loss in eight matches. Pandya, who has taken over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma, has endured a difficult season, both as a batter and bowler. His diplomatic post-match comments, emphasizing lessons learned and mistakes made, have drawn further criticism.
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has also commented on Pandya’s noticeable cheerfulness during matches, suggesting that it may be a coping mechanism for the pressure he faces. The boos from the crowd, according to Pietersen, are affecting Pandya.
Mumbai Indians’ collective failure against Rajasthan Royals highlighted their weaknesses in all three departments. Pandya contributed a meager ten runs from ten deliveries and conceded 21 runs in his two overs. Despite the poor showing, Pandya once again opted for a diplomatic response, reiterating the need for learning from mistakes.
The team’s struggles have raised questions about Pandya’s leadership style, with some experts suggesting that his inability to inspire his players is a major factor in their poor run. As Mumbai Indians face the prospect of missing out on the playoffs, Pandya’s tactics and demeanor will come under further scrutiny.
With just three wins from eight matches, Mumbai Indians find themselves seventh in the standings, with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. The ongoing season has been a disappointment for the five-time IPL champions, and the team’s performance under Pandya’s leadership has become a major talking point
