Former India player and now commentator Irfan Pathan says that Hardik Pandya has been one of the weak links in Mumbai Indians. Irfan Pathan is a former T20 World Cup winner back in 2007 with MS Dhoni & Co. Irfan Pathan stated that Hardik Pandya is trying out easy ways to get back in form.
Hardik Pandya is finding it difficult this season both as a captain and as a batter. He is going through a difficult time captaining Mumbai Indians this season as he faces lots of criticism from the fans due to the recent captaincy shift from Rohit Sharma to him. Hardik Pandya has found it difficult to perform in this situation.
This season the fast bowling all-rounder has scored only 151 runs in eight matches with an average of 21.57 which is way below par as per his standards. He hasn’t found his six-hitting gear this season and is lacking his finishing touch this season for Mumbai Indians.
Irfan Pathan raises concerns over Hardik Pandya’s form
Talking in an Instagram video Pathan raised concerns over Hardik Pandya’s six-hitting prowess especially when the T20 World Cup is approaching. He said :
“Mumbai Indians is still a very good team on paper but being managed very poorly. Especially, if Hardik Pandya as a leader lacks form, he will become a weak link for his own team. What I am most worried about is that he is affecting his own hitting abilities. This is a matter of concern – even for the Indian team,”
“It seems as if he is looking for easy ways to come back to form and wants to keep himself in a comfortable position. And that is how he will not be able to win the respect of his team and teammates,”
Hardin Pandya’s recent outing against Rajasthan Royals in the pink city was not ass expected as he score a run a ball innings of 10 balls 10 runs and bowled two overs for no wicket.
Hardik Pandya reacting to loss against Royals
Speaking in the post match presentation Hardik Pandya said they were 10-15 runs short and also pointed out his team’s poor fielding effort that’s were they lost the game. He said :
“We put ourselves in trouble early on. The way Tilak and Nehal batted – that was fantastic. I don’t think that when we lost a couple of wickets early we thought we would even reach 180. We didn’t finish well and that’s why we were 10-15 runs short. We had to keep it within the stumps (while bowling).
“Early on in the powerplay, we gave a lot of width and I don’t think it was our best day in the field as well. Overall, we did not put the right foot on the park and eventually they outplayed us.”
Mumbai Indians have won only three matches this season and are currently sitting 8th on the points table. They need to put a winning streak together to challenge for the top 4 spot.
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