'Not Even Mahi Bhai Can Teach...": Hardik Pandya Namedrops MS Dhoni In Huge Remark

07.05.2024 - 03:13 sports.ndtv.com

It has been a disappointing IPL 2024 campaign for Hardik Pandya as the India all-rounder has faced a lot of criticism - both as player and captain.

Hardik completed a sensational trade to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans ahead of the season and was appointed captain of the franchise.

It meant that he ended Rohit Sharma's ten-year tenure at the helm of MI - a decision that was not accepted well by a section of the fanbase.

Things got worse as the team did not perform well on the field and they are currently last in the IPL 2024 points table with just three victories.

cricket MS Dhoni Women's Mumbai Indians IPL 2024 Rohit Sharma Hardik Pandya Star Sports India

Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians (MI) captain, was penalised Rs. 30 lakh after his team maintained a slow over-rate during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday night. “As it was his team's third offence of the season under the IPL's Code of Conduct relating to minimum over rate offences, Pandya was fined Rs. 30 lakh and banned from playing the team's next match,” the IPL statement read.

"Cost Us Whole Season": Hardik Pandya's Honest Admission As Mumbai Indians Get Wooden Spoon

After his side's disappointing 18-run loss against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya said they did not play good quality cricket on Friday. Hardik scored 16 runs from 13 balls at a strike rate of 123.08 while chasing the 215-run target given by LSG. Speaking after the match, Pandya said his side failed to display a quality performance in the IPL 2024 and it cost them a season. He added it is too early to point out what went wrong for MI.

Watch: New Video Shows What Virat Kohli Actually Did When Hardik Pandya Was Getting Booed

Mumbai Indians' journey in the IPL 2024 is over. The Hardik Pandya-led side will be playing Lucknow Super Giants on Friday in their final league game this season, which has been a forgettable one for the five-time champions. Since the time Pandya took over MI's captaincy, replacing Rohit Sharma, it seemed like everything went downhill. The move came under severe criticism. And then, when MI's poor form started with a string of losses, Pandya felt the music.

Hardik Pandya's T20 World Cup Selection Done Under Pressure? Jay Shah's Remark A 'Hint'

India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad saw some bold decisions being taken by selectors as an out-of-form Hardik Pandya earned the nod while players like Shubman Gill and Rinku Singh were snubbed. Though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed in a press conference that Hardik's selection was down to a lack of alternatives, a report later revealed that the selection committee was under pressure to pick the Mumbai Indians all-rounder. BCCI secretary Jay Shah has now opened up on the T20 World Cup squad selection, saying players can't be picked purely on the basis of IPL form.

ICC T20 All-Rounder Rankings: Hardik Pandya Remains At 7th Spot, Wanindu Hasaranga Joins Shakib Al Hasan On Top

Hardik Pandya remains the top-ranked Indian in the ICC ranking list for T20 all-rounders at number seven while Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has joined Bangladesh's Shakib al Hasan at the top of the pile. With 185 points, Pandya is placed seventh behind Australia's Marcus Stoinis. Hasaranga moved up a place to be joint leader with Shakib with 228 points. They were followed by Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi (218) and Zimbabwe's Sikander Raza (210), who also gained two places.

Hardik Pandya Picked For T20 WC 'Under Pressure'; Rohit Sharma, Ajit Agarkar Against It: Report

There have been rumours of a possible rift between Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya ever since the latter was appointed captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of IPL 2024. Hardik had replaced Rohit as MI captain after rejoining the franchise from Gujarat Titans (GT) during the trade window. However, it is safe to say that the move has backfired as MI are already out of the IPL 2024 playoffs contention. Also, Hardik's performance this season has been mediocre to say the least.