Not just the fans at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, even those in the cricketing fraternity too were less than impressed by Hardik Pandya’s tactics as captain in his first game leading the Mumbai Indians.
MI lost their IPL 2024 opener, but since the match was being played against the Gujarat Titans, a team Hardik had captained to a title in the first season itself, the match became a referendum of his captaincy skills. It didn’t help that Hardik had taken over the reins of the team from the popular Rohit Sharma.
From former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan to India player Mohammed Shami, everyone had their say about where Hardik had gone wrong in the first match.
Shami was asked about the comparisons between Hardik and India legend MS Dhoni as captains.
“Dhoni is Dhoni. You cannot match someone else. Everyone has a different mindset, whether it is Dhoni or Kohli,” Shami said on Cricbuzz.
He then went on point out where Hardik had erred tactically in the game: the elevation of Tim David up the order over himself. “You should stay in the game depending on your skill. You batted at No. 3 and 4 in the last two seasons. You are used to that position. You can at the most bat at No. 5, but not at No. 7,” said Shami, who is missing the IPL due to injury.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan was also scathing in his comments on Mumbai Indians’ newly-appointed captain. Pathan said not giving the new ball to Jasprit Bumrah and promoting Tim David ahead of him were the two blunders Hardik made on his captaincy debut for Mumbai Indians.
No Bumrah with the new ball
Hardik bowled two overs up front with the new ball and the Mumbai Indians captain gave away 20 runs from his first two overs.
“Hardik Pandya made big mistakes in the match. In the powerplay, he bowled 2 overs himself, that was a big mistake. He brought Jasprit Bumrah into the attack a bit late,” Irfan Pathan said.
Bumrah was brought into the attack in the fourth over and he yorked dangerous-looking Wriddhiman Saha in his first over.
On his return to the IPL, the superstar pacer produced a masterclass in T20 bowling as he registered figures of 3/14, conceding just one four in his four-over spell.
The wickets he picked up: Wriddhiman Saha, breaking the opening partnership that had given Gujarat Titans a good start; David Miller, one of the most dangerous finishers in the T20 game; Sai Sudharsan, well set in the middle but gone in the same over as Miller. All three dismissals played a significant role in reducing GT’s potential total.
Promoting Tim David
Pathan also lambasted Pandya for promoting Tim David ahead of him and accused him of being afraid of Rashid Khan. David scored a 10-ball 11.
“When they were chasing, they sent Tim David higher up the order. He sent Tim David when Rashid Khan had an over left,” said Pathan.
“I felt Hardik Pandya maybe didn’t want to face Rashid Khan after having not played cricket for a long time.
“This could be the case. I won’t agree with the fact that there was an experienced Indian batter sitting in the dressing room and sent an overseas player under pressure against Rashid.”
With 19 needed of the last over, Hardik Pandya smoked Umesh Yadav for a six and a four in the first two balls. However, the veteran pacer kept his cool and picked up two wickets in the next two deliveries to complete the heist for the Titans, who are yet to lose against the five-time champions at their home venue.
Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
