"Lack Of Faith, Lack Of Skill": Irfan Pathan Tears Into Hardik Pandya's Captaincy

Mumbai Indians captain and all-rounder Hardik Pandya was put to sword by fans and former cricketers after yet another underwhelming show in the Indian Premie League (IPL) 2024. Hardik faced brutal criticism from prominent former players lost the high-profile encounter against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. Hardik, who bowled the last over the innings, was ripped apart by the 42-year-old MS Dhoni, conceding 20 runs in the final 4 balls. His decision to bowl at the absolute end has been questioned by many, including former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan. (IPL 2024 Points Table)

Booed and heckled by fans ever since he took over MI's captaincy, Pandya found himself in the line of fire. Hardik was openly criticised by Irfan who put big question marks on the decision-making that the former Gujarat Titans skipper brings to the ground.

It was the 26 runs that Pandya conceded in the final over with Mahendra Singh Dhoni going hammer and tongs, which proved to be decisive as Chennai Super Kings notched up a 20-run win over MI.

Irfan feels the decision to bowl himself over Akash Madhwal shows lack of faith on the latter.

Hardik Pandya bowling the last over showed the lack of faith on Akash madhwal's bowling and his own lack of skill as a death over bowler.

The likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Kevin Pietersen also questioned Hardik's captaincy in the match.

"Oh, absolutely ordinary bowling, ordinary captaincy. They should have been restricted despite the fact that Ruturaj Gaikwad had batted so well along with Shivam Dube. I do believe that they should have been restricted to 185-190," Gavaskar said.

"Probably the worst kind of bowling that I've seen for a long, long time," Gavaskar said on Star Sports during the innings break after CSK