"Whenever MI Lost...": Irfan Pathan's Strong Charge At Hardik Pandya

Former allrounder Irfan Pathan on Monday questioned Hardik Pandya's leadership skills, saying his inability to adapt to match situations and failure to come up with a proper plan has cost Mumbai Indians dearly so far in this IPL. Hardik, who replaced Rohit Sharma as captain of MI this season, has received a lot of flak from fans and former players alike following the five-time champions' dismal run so far.

"Hardik needs to manage MI really well. Whenever MI lost, Pandya had a big role to play," Pathan said on Star Sports Pressroom.

"Even yesterday, Akash Madhwal didn't bowl the last over, you need to give responsibility to him. When Shreyas Gopal got the wicket of Rachin Ravindra, why didn't you give him another over? He only bowled one over... there was some slowness in the pitch and you need to adapt quickly, unfortunately, Pandya has not been able to adapt so far."

Hardik had a phenomenal run under coach Ashish Nehra at Gujarat Titans in the last two years as he led the team to two finals and won the trophy in 2022.

Asked if GT coach Ashish Nehra's effect does show, Pathan said: "... it was there, his effect is helping Shubman Gill too but do you think MI support staff is not helping him? They are trying to help, it is up to Hardik Pandya.

"He needs to make sure he has Plan A, Plan B. He needs to be aware of the situation. He is not a newbie, he has been playing for so many years. If he is not going to use his own experience and be smart about it, he will be found out and that is what is happening right now."

I will be disappointed if Dube doesn't go to the World Cup

Shivam Dube has been in rollicking form this season and Pathan said he will be disappointed if he is not picked for the T20 World Cup.

"Eventually there