Former England batter Kevin Pietersen has agreed with Gautam Gambhir’s assessment of his captaincy, calling himself a ‘terrible captain.’ The comments came after Gambhir criticized Pietersen and AB de Villiers for their critique of Hardik Pandya’s leadership of Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024. While Pietersen acknowledged his poor record as captain, Gambhir’s own record as skipper is impressive, leading Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles.
There have been reports of a growing rift between Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Hardik Pandya. The tension between the two is believed to have started when Hardik was appointed as the captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), replacing Rohit, who had led the team for five years and won the title multiple times. This decision reportedly did not sit well with Rohit, as it was the first time a current Indian captain would play under someone else in the IPL. The situation has been further exacerbated by both Rohit and Hardik’s poor performances in the IPL this season, which has contributed to MI’s struggles. There have also been reports of separate camps within the MI setup, with Rohit and Pandya rarely practicing together. During a recent practice session, Rohit and his teammates Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma reportedly left the nets when Hardik arrived to have a session.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ former captain Gautam Gambhir has expressed his regret over not maximizing Suryakumar Yadav’s potential during the latter’s time with the franchise. Yadav, now a key player for the Indian team and Mumbai Indians, was part of KKR from 2014 to 2017 but failed to establish himself as a regular in the playing XI. Gambhir acknowledged that Yadav’s true batting position was never identified, and he was underutilized as a lower middle-order batter.
Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, many young players have made their debuts for India, showcasing his guidance and camaraderie in the dressing room. Despite the traditional hierarchy between senior and junior players, Rohit and the emerging talents have a positive dynamic that is evident on and off the field. Rohit’s leadership was tested in the recent Test series against England, where he faced player absences due to injuries and personal commitments. However, his adept captaincy steered the team through challenges, demonstrating his ability to rally the squad even in adversity. Rohit’s camaraderie with the youngsters was reflected on the field, with several of his one-liners becoming talking points on social media. One such moment occurred when Rohit urged his players to put more effort on the field, telling them they weren’t walking in a garden. This line went viral on social media, and Rohit recreated the moment with Mumbai Indians’ youngster Tilak Varma. Tilak cleverly responded, pointing out that they were in Eden Gardens. Mumbai Indians will face Kolkata Knight Riders in their next match, aiming to reach double figures in the points table. KKR, on the other hand, is almost assured of a playoff spot and currently tops the table with 16 points.
Sam Curran has replaced Shikhar Dhawan as captain of the Punjab Kings due to Dhawan’s unavailability. Curran, who had been leading the team in Dhawan’s absence, has been confirmed as the skipper for the remaining two matches of the season. Dhawan missed the first seven games of the season due to a shoulder injury and has not played since match 23 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he scored 14 runs off 16 balls. Despite Dhawan’s absence, Punjab Kings have managed to secure eight points in 11 games but have failed to emerge as contenders for the playoff stage.
Legendary South African batter AB de Villiers has criticized Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya’s leadership style, suggesting that his ‘bravado’ and ‘fake’ intensity have contributed to the team’s poor performance this season. De Villiers believes that Pandya’s approach may have been suitable for his previous team, Gujarat Titans, but it has not been effective in a more experienced side like Mumbai Indians. The former RCB player pointed out that senior players like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah prefer a calmer and more collective leadership style, which Pandya’s ‘ego-driven’ captaincy lacks. De Villiers drew parallels with Graeme Smith’s leadership, emphasizing that experienced players need a more supportive and collaborative captain rather than one who relies on posturing and chest-thumping. He also suggested that Pandya’s ‘fake it to make it’ mentality may have worked for him as a player, but it is not an effective strategy for a captain in a team with seasoned cricketers. With Mumbai Indians already eliminated from playoff contention and languishing near the bottom of the points table, De Villiers’ comments have sparked debate about the team’s future and the suitability of Pandya as captain.
Pat Cummins, the bowler widely regarded as the world’s best in Tests, has taken the world of T20 cricket by storm as the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite his relative inexperience in the format, Cummins has guided SRH to become one of the most formidable teams in IPL 2024, revolutionizing T20 batting with an all-guns-blazing approach. With his tactical acumen, audacious leadership, and exceptional bowling skills, Cummins has proven himself to be a true master of the game, showcasing his versatility and adaptability across all formats. His impact on SRH has been transformative, establishing him as one of the most successful and influential leaders in modern cricket.
Rohit Sharma’s appointment as captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) season proved to be a pivotal moment in the league’s history. Initially, the plan was to appoint Ricky Ponting as captain, but after a poor start to the season, the team turned to Rohit. Despite the presence of senior players like Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh, Rohit displayed unwavering confidence and embraced the challenge. Under his leadership, MI went on to win their maiden IPL title that season, setting the stage for his remarkable success as a captain.
Hardik Pandya, the captain of Mumbai Indians, has been facing severe criticism for his disappointing performance in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Pandya’s struggles have significantly impacted the team’s performance, affecting both his batting and captaincy. The team’s inconsistent batting order and Pandya’s lack of support from teammates have further contributed to their difficulties.
Mumbai Indians’ struggles under Hardik Pandya’s leadership have drawn criticism from veteran South African pacer Dale Steyn. Steyn has taken to Twitter to call out players for not speaking their minds honestly after matches, including Pandya for his constant smiles despite poor results. Steyn’s comments come as MI faces elimination from the playoffs race with just three wins from eight matches.
