Fans have been quite critical of Hardik since the IPL 2024 season began.
In the current Indian Premier League (IPL 2024), supporters of the Mumbai Indians (MI) have been consistently jeering Hardik Pandya throughout games. After being moved from Gujarat Titans to MI, the 30-year-old all-rounder took Rohit Sharma’s spot as captain. Since then, he has faced intense criticism from the Mumbai community, and regrettably, he has not impressed as captain as the team has lost all three of its games.
Michael Clarke, the former captain of Australia, has talked candidly about his chat with the adaptable all-round player. He described the MI captain as a self-assured individual and gave him the go-ahead to lead his side to victory because the supporters had high hopes for the group.
“When your team isn’t performing, it doesn’t help. When I first arrived, I chatted with Hardik Pandya, and he seemed to be doing well. He’s the kind of person who exudes confidence. He needs to get this team to win cricket matches, but he won’t let this get to him. Mumbai is a very good team, and anticipations are always high. “At the moment, they are at the bottom of the tree, but the fans want them at the top,” Clarke told ESPNcricinfo.
See also: ‘Boo whisperer’ Adam Gilchrist ready to assist Hardik Pandya amid Mumbai Indians captaincy dispute.
All MI has to do is resume its winning ways: Wide
The seasoned England pacer Stuart Broad talked about Hardik Pandya’s mentality and how he thinks he can overcome it. The 37-year-old did, however, clarify that MI’s poor performances thus far are the main thing that worries them. The five-time champions are renowned for their strength, he continued, and he advised supporting them to win games.
See also: IPL2024: Rohit Sharma plans to depart from the Mumbai Indians due to dissatisfaction with Hardik Pandya’s leadership
“To be honest, as a player, it doesn’t worry you at all. It is an essential component in elite and international sports. That kind of atmosphere and antagonistic vibe aren’t always there in your hometown. However, as a demonstrated performer, I don’t think the environment can impact you. You still have to use your talent in the world. In the end, the Mumbai Indians are a successful team. They’re not winning, even though it has a winning mentality. Right now, that’s the hardest thing they have to deal with. Simply put, they must return to their winning ways,” stated Broad.
