Hardik Pandya who got injured during ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is all set to return to competitive cricket in IPL 2024 edition. Hardik Pandya undoubtedly is quite injury prone and at the same time, he needs to be monitored smartly by the powerful board as ICC T20 WC 2024 is just around the corner.
According to sources with knowledge, it is believed that there is rift amongst the players in MI’s camp after MI’s owners & management snatched captaincy from the star skipper Rohit Sharma. It will be interesting to see how Rohit Sharma fares under Hardik Pandya’s fearless captaincy as we might witness Vintage Rohit Sharma.
I think Hardik Pandya is going to play a huge role- AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers was seen speaking on his You Tube channel. AB de Villiers pointed out that MI needs Hardik Pandya to bowl in the marquee tournament. AB de Villiers also stated that the lethal speedster Jasprit Bumrah takes big wickets and is an inseparable part of the 5 time IPL winners.
“Hardik Pandya – they needed him to comeback; otherwise, the balance just didn’t look as strong. I think Hardik is going to play a huge role. Hopefully he would be able to hold the ball in hand and be the all-rounder that Mumbai Indians need him to be,” said AB de Villiers.
“I am looking forward to watch him bowl. We’ve missed him in the IPL, now he’s back in full flight. We’ve watched him perform for India in the Test matches, he was simply outstanding. When the heat is on, you want Jasprit Bumrah in your team. He comes through for you 9/10 times, he makes it work, he gets the big wickets,” he added.
Steep challenge awaits Hardik Pandya
There was a lot of buzz when Hardik Pandya requested his former franchise Gujarat Titans (GT) to transfer him to MI. When Hardik was in GT’s camp, he had worked closely with GT’s head coach Ashish Nehra and the duo had a great bond. It won’t be easy for Hardik Pandya to formulate strategies with MI’s management and owners as MI have an attitude to win at all costs.
Hardik Pandya, though would be utterly disappointed as the Ajit Agarkar led selection panel showed faith in Rohit Sharma for T20 WC 2024 even when Hardik was leading the side in the T20Is ever since the T20 WC 2022 debacle. Hardik will be aiming to make a strong statement that he is not done yet by winning the IPL 2024 as this time all the teams are evenly matched.
Also Read: IND vs ENG: “I Will Keep Learning From Rohit Sharma”- Yashasvi Jaiswal Lauds The Skipper