Guess who’s criticizing Pandya now?

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season has not started on a positive note for the Mumbai Indians, especially for their new captain, Hardik Pandya. After a captivating stint with the Gujarat Titans, Pandya has returned to lead his former team, taking over the reins from Rohit Sharma. However, the start of the season has been marred by two consecutive losses, first against Gujarat Titans and then against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The match against Sunrisers Hyderabad brought particular scrutiny to Pandya’s captaincy as Mumbai Indians conceded a staggering 277 runs in 20 overs, the highest total ever witnessed in the history of the IPL. The defeat showcased several questionable decisions made by Pandya, including the delayed introduction of ace pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, into the attack.

A chorus of boos

Criticism has come from various quarters, including former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan, who took to social media to express his disappointment. Pathan pointed out the Mumbai skipper’s slow batting rate, scoring a mere 24 runs from 20 balls, which contrasted starkly with other players. With a start enriched by Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Tilak Varma, who all played aggressively with strike rates soaring above 200, Pandya’s approach came under fire.

Despite the captain’s slower contribution, the match against Sunrisers ended with only a 31-run deficit, signaling that Mumbai Indians had the potential to claim victory, had their captain taken a more aggressive stance. Fans and analysts alike are now watching to see if Hardik Pandya can steer the Mumbai Indians back to their winning ways as the IPL 2024 progresses. With heavy expectations on his shoulders, Pandya’s leadership skills are set to face rigorous examination in the upcoming matches.