Hardik Pandya’s Mumbai Indians failed to win their first match of Indian Premier League 2024 against Gujarat Titans. After coming back as the MI captain, Hardik Pandya failed to inspire his team to a win, failing both with bat and ball, and possibly as a captain as well. Hardik Pandya was criticized for starting with the ball instead of Jasprit Bumrah and then coming in too late in MI’s chase of 169 runs on Sunday, 24 March in Ahmedabad. The slump continued as Hardik Pandya’s MI lost their second match versus SunRisers Hyderabad.
Hardik Pandya ,the MI captain has not had a smooth start to his captaincy on his comeback to the franchise that made him a household name in the Indian cricketing scene. Hardik Pandya was asked about a ‘captaincy clause’ in his contract ahead of the season, a question that he ignored. Hardik Pandya too was criticized by fans on social media as well for the treatment of Rohit Sharma during the match.
Fans and Media lashes out at Hardik Pandya’s treatment to former MI and India skipper Rohit Sharma in the opener for MI
Captain Hardik Pandya took complete control of the proceedings in his first match as skipper of the Mumbai Indians even as the 5-time champions lost to Gujarat Titans in their IPL 2024 opener in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 24. In a viral video, Hardik Pandya was seen commanding Rohit Sharma on the field as the former captain was moved around on the field during Gujarat Titans’ innings at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Rohit Sharma, who has been used to fielding inside the ring, was a little surprised when he was asked to field in the deep by newly-appointed captain Hardik Pandya. The Baroda all-rounder looked animated as he wanted to get his field placements right in the final over of the Gujarat Titans innings.
Hardik Pandya asked Rohit to go to near the boundary rope after the former captain was fielding inside the 30-yard circle. After Rohit took a position along the boundary, Hardik Pandya wanted his former captain to move to his right further as he made sure bowler Gerald Coetzee had the right man at the right areas.
A section of fans did not like what they saw as Rohit Sharma had to do the running in the final over of the Mumbai Indians’ contest. While it’s normal for a captain to use his best fielders at the right spots, emotional Rohit Sharma fans took to social media to lash out at Hardik Pandya.
In fact, Rohit Sharma took a catch in the deep in a rare sight as the former Mumbai Indians captain played the team man’s role to perfection. In the 8th over of the match, Rohit took Shubman Gill’s catch at long-on after Piyush Chawla tempted the Gujarat Titans to mistime a big shot.
It was not a happy homecoming for Hardik Pandya as the Mumbai Indians captain was booed by the Ahmedabad crowd at the toss. A large section of fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium were seemingly not happy with the Hardik’s trade from Mumbai to Gujarat. Notably, Hardik, who was first given the role of captain in the IPL by Gujarat Titans, led the team to title in 2022 and the final in 2023 before he made a shock trade move back to MI before last year’s auction.
However roads to redemption was never too late for Hardik Pandya and Mumbai Indians as after loosing first 3 matches at Wankhede the team under Hardik Pandya found winning ways back to the liking of the crowd.
Hardik Pandya’s road to redemption has begun or is he lost somewhere is next big question
The road to redemption for Hardik Pandya has begun. One can see it in his performance and also the positive results for Mumbai Indians. After losing a hat-trick of matches to start IPL 2024, MI have now beaten the Delhi Capitals and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to bring their campaign back on track. What’s even more heartening to see is captain Hardik’s performance with the bat.
Criticized for his slow strike rate in the middle overs, Hardik walked out against RCB to prove a point. With the bulk of the damage done by Ishan Kishan (69 off 34) and Suryakumar Yadav (52 off 19) with their blistering half-centuries, Hardik made sure there was no let-up in the intensity by smashing a 6-ball 21* with three sixes. He also hit a six off Akash Deep’s bowling to finish the match.
MI chased down the 199-run target inside 16 overs with 7 wickets in hand. That’s quite a statement from a franchise which was being written off very early in the tournament and its captain heckled, booed and abused everywhere he went.
The latter didn’t change much even on Thursday. Hardik was booed when he came on to bowl in the 10th over of the RCB innings. There was unfavorable noise whenever the ball went to him in the field. The boos returned when he came out to bat. But as soon as Virat Kohli requested the crowd to cheer for Hardik instead of booing him, things slowly but surely started to change.
In the following match once again Hardik Pandya’s captainship skill was to the fore as he lost the clash against Chennai Super Kings owing to pathetic decisions on field including the last over to be bowled by himself which went for 26 runs including MS Dhoni’s 20 of mere 4 balls.
This lack of sense in leadership has irked the likes of Irfan Pathan who now has resorted to question the Mumbai Indians skipper for his failures constantly.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya had a huge role to play in whatever matches MI lost in IPL 2024 reckons Irfan Pathan
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan pointed out that captain Hardik Pandya had a huge role to play in whatever matches MI lost in IPL 2024 so far. Mumbai suffered a 20-run loss against CSK at the Wankhede Stadium as they slumped to their 4th defeat of the season.
Irfan, while speaking on the Star Sports Press Room Show, expressed displeasure with Hardik’s usage of MI bowlers against CSK. Irfan mentioned how Hardik didn’t let Aakash Madhwal bowl the last over and didn’t introduce Shreyas Gopal after he dismissed Rachin Ravindra.
“Whatever matches MI had lost, he had a big role to play. Even yesterday, Aakash Madhwal didn’t bowl the last over. When I was in the commentary panel, if Hardik Pandya needs to make a statement, he needs to bowl. You need to give a lot of responsibility to Aakash Madhwal. It’s his job. If he is not going to bowl, then how will he have the confidence then,” Irfan said.
Madhwal didn’t bowl the last over for Mumbai as the skipper took it upon himself to bowl the final over. He managed to dismiss Daryl Mitchell but then came MS Dhoni. Thala smoked 3 sixes on the trot to send the Wankhede Stadium into frenzy. Dhoni’s 20-run knock from 4 balls powered CSK to a winning total of 206 runs.
“At the same time, Shreyas Gopal, when he got the wicket of a left-hander Rachin Ravindra, who was set. Why did you not give him the next over? He bowled only one over, especially on the kind of pitch which had a little grip in it,” Irfan further added.
The former India cricketer was quick to point out that Hardik hasn’t been able to adapt well to the situations and the conditions so far. Chasing the target of 207 runs, MI started well as they lost no wicket for 70 runs. However, Matheesha Pathirana’s 4-wicket haul propelled CSK to an emphatic win.
“That’s why, despite the dew being there, CSK was able to defend the total, despite the ball being wet. As there was some sort of slowness on the pitch, you need to adapt to it very quickly and, unfortunately, Hardik Pandya is not able to adapt so far. I really hope for MI’s sake that he is able to adapt and do better than what he has done so far.”
Hardik Pandya should use his experience reckons Irfan Pathan.
Irfan wanted Hardik to come up with a plan and wanted him to have more awareness.
“Don’t you think MI’s support staff is not helping Hardik Pandya? They are helping. They are there in the boundary line and are trying to help. Mark Boucher is there, Kieron Pollard is there. They are trying to help. It’s up to Hardik Pandya to actually have plan A, plan B, plan C when something is not working. Be aware of the situation, be aware of the condition,” Irfan said.
“Hardik is not a newbie, he has actually played cricket for so many years now. He has played for MI, he is playing IPL for so many years now. He has represented India for so many years now. He has to use his own experience, especially on the field. If he is not going to use his experience and be smart about it.”
MI will look to bounce back as they face PBKS on April 18, Thursday and hopes Hardik Pandya the skipper stands tall before it is too late for MI in IPL 2024 .