Was it the right decision to appoint Hardik Pandya as the captain of Mumbai Indians?

[Smbhayi]

As per media reports:

Pandya, Tilak Varma Involved In Heated Exchange As Rohit Sharma, MI Owners Intervened

Following the loss to Delhi at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Hardik Pandya publicly blamed Tilak Varma for the team's failure to chase down 258 runs.

Despite Tilak Varma scoring a fifty, MI's innings ended at 247 runs. Pandya criticized Varma for not being aggressive against left-arm spinner Axar Patel, adding to the growing tension within the team.


Tilak-Hardik fight
Reports have emerged about the clash between MI skipper Hardik Pandya and young talent Tilak Varma following the team's loss to DC. Hardik's public criticism of Tilak Varma didn't sit well with the young batter, leading to a confrontation.

According to a tweet from a popular X account followed by Rohit Sharma, it was Rohit and the MI's owners who intervened and resolved the issue between the MI skipper and Tilak. With tensions rising and the team struggling, MI seems to be missing Rohit Sharma's leadership.

 

[Smbhayi]

Can't believe he blamed Thilak Varma for lost against DC, such a poor behaviour from him.. if anything his 2 overs conceding 41 runs had big role in that lose... for that reason alone he shouldn't near any captaincy role for Indian team..

 

[Cricket Warrior]

During a press conference, Rohit Sharma gave verdict on his sacking from MI captaincy:

“You don’t always get what you want, but I am happy. I have played under many captains in the past. My focus is on my game right now and what I could do for the team,”

“I was captain before, then I was not and then again was appointed as captain. It’s a part of life. It’s not different to me, it has been a great experience captaining MI but now I look forward to how I can deliver as a player,”

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Pandya is not the same game anymore, the 2017 version was just a gem of a player.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Hardik Pandya's MI is already out in my opinion but can they pull an unbelievable comeback? They are in a strong position to win the match against KKR.

 

[Human786]

Hardik Pandya's MI is already out in my opinion but can they pull an unbelievable comeback? They are in a strong position to win the match against KKR.

buddy , whole IPL like all league cricket is scripted , MI's USP is their owner is World's 10 richest person & maalik of vile Modi - any case , when will we see Test cricket again & yes Paandu is a crude goon close to tadipaar Amit Shah !

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Hardik Pandya's MI is already out in my opinion but can they pull an unbelievable comeback? They are in a strong position to win the match against KKR.

They are officially out now and Pandya jee must find a new home for the next IPL

 

[Savak]

Came Across this article explaining the move


The cricketing world was left stunned when Mumbai Indians (MI) announced Hardik Pandya as their captain for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 back in December, 2023. This unexpected move raised eyebrows and sparked discussions among fans and experts alike.

While the official explanation cited a strategic shift towards the future, recent events shed light on a deeper, more personal narrative behind this decision.

Rohit Sharma, a cornerstone of Mumbai Indians' success with his remarkable batting prowess and leadership, was suddenly relieved of his captaincy duties. The franchise justified this move by highlighting Rohit's advancing age and declining fitness, suggesting that appointing Pandya was a long-term solution to ensure continuity and renewal within the team.

However, beneath the surface lies a tale of betrayal and financial deceit that directly impacted Hardik Pandya's life and career trajectory.

Recent developments involving Pandya's stepbrother, Vaibhav Pandya, reveal a shocking betrayal that significantly influenced the cricketer's decision to seek refuge and support from the Ambani family.

The Mumbai Police arrested Vaibhav Pandya for allegedly duping Hardik and his brother Krunal of nearly Rs 4.25 crore. The brothers had jointly ventured into a polymer business in 2021, with Vaibhav entrusted to oversee daily operations. However, Vaibhav violated the terms of their agreement by clandestinely establishing his own proprietorship firm in the same industry, effectively defrauding his brothers.

This betrayal took a devastating toll on Hardik Pandya, who found himself stripped of his wealth overnight.

His extravagant lifestyle, characterized by lavish expenditures on watches, cars, and multiple residences, came crashing down when his stepbrother absconded with a staggering amount, estimated to be much more than ten folds of the revealed amount, which has been confirmed to OneCricket by a source extremely close to the Pandyas.

Left in dire straits, Hardik turned to the Ambani family for support and financial stability. The billionaire conglomerate offered him not just a lifeline but also an opportunity to rebuild his shattered life. However, this lifeline came with a condition – Pandya's allegiance to the Mumbai Indians, the franchise owned by the Ambani family.

Thus, Hardik Pandya's appointment as Mumbai Indians' captain wasn't merely a strategic decision but a consequence of personal turmoil and the pursuit of stability. The betrayal inflicted by his stepbrother propelled Pandya towards the Ambani family, where he found refuge amidst the storm of financial ruin.

Pandya's Bankruptcy Was The 'Big' Reason For Rohit-Hardik MI Captaincy Switch

Confirmed to OneCricket by a source extremely close to the Pandya family, this article delves into why Hardik was appointed as MI captain in place of 5-time IPL winning captain, Rohit Sharma.

cricket.one

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

What a bad decision this turned out to be for Pandya. He had everything with Gujrat Titans. It was a new franchise that was hungry to make history and prove a point. It also happened to be a great team that Pandya was in many ways the central figure of. Not only was he captain but he added a vital component to the team combination with his all-round abilities. They won the IPL in their first season and almost defended it a year later. Pandya could have been to GT what Dhoni is to CSK. He had all the tools at his disposal to build a dynasty.

Instead he went for money and in the process not only ruined GT but somehow also made MI worse. And if anything, he's exposing himself day by day with his attitude and behavior. I mean stuff like throwing Tilak Varma under the bus that blatantly...that's highly unbecoming of a captain. And this is someone who wanted to be captain lol.

Btw, how lame is that? Setting captaincy as a pre-condition to join a team? Captaincy should be something that is entrusted upon you, rather than something you demand or ask for.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Whatever the reason was, but it has backfired for MI. Why would you make him the captain when you have rohit who was pretty successful TBH. I think it will be a lesson enough for MI management to take their decision back for the next season.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Don't care if he ruins MI. But how the heck they handed captaincy to Rohit and vice captaincy to Pandya. Mind boggling. Neither of them deserve to go there in the first place.

 

[Human786]

Don't care if he ruins MI. But how the heck they handed captaincy to Rohit and vice captaincy to Pandya. Mind boggling. Neither of them deserve to go there in the first place.

yes , Rohit would not have been in the team if not the skipper & Pandu 's form has been deplorable & peeps say yet not fully fit - imagine the Captain & his deputy both not deserving to be in squad

 

[Cricket Warrior]

i saw that pandya was shouting on Bumrah on the field... I am sure this might be his last season with MI.

 

[BouncerGuy]

"Don't Know Which Mathematical...": Hardik Pandya's Blunt Playoffs Reply To Sanjay Manjrekar

The Mumbai Indians remain the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs hunt, though only mathematically, as they secured a 7-wickt victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday. Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians skipper who hasn't tasted much success this season, refused to get into the IPL playoffs numbers when informed about the same by former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar at the post-match presentation ceremony. For Hardik, the only focus remains is putting as many wins under the belt in the remaining two matches, as possible and see where the fate takes him and his team. (IPL 2024 Points Table)

Mumbai Indians produced a much-better all-round display against the Sunrisers, with Suryakumar Yadav stepping up with a match-wining knock of 102 off just 51 balls. Hardik also looked astute with his bowling as well as captaincy decisions as MI handed SRH their 3rd defeat in last 4 matches.

But, despite the win, Hardik isn't getting carried away as far as MI's playoffs chances are concerned.

"I don't know which mathematical situation we're talking about, but at the same time, you want to focus on playing good cricket," Hardik said in the post-match presentation, replying to Manjrekar's suggestion.

"The way our batters batted, that was excellent. My bowling, I like to bowl in the right areas, I bowl according to the situation. Bowled in the right areas today and it worked. I was like Chawla had to bowl from the shorter side. He (Chawla) had to be accurate, the margin of errors have become smaller these days for the bowlers.

"It's unbelievable, the best past of SKY is that he puts the bowlers under pressure. It's sheer confidence, his game has changed, is one of the best batters. He can change a game in a different way, lucky to have him (SKY) in our side," Hardik further said in the presentation ceremony.

For MI to finish among the top 4 sides in the IPL this season, they don't just need to win their remaining 2 matches in the league campaign but also hope for a few other results to fall in their favour. Even margins of MI's wins in the last two matches have to be huge in order for them to remain in realistic contention.

NDTV

 

[Savak]

List of Hardhik's antics as MI captain

- Disrespects Malinga by pushing him away on the field and orders him to get up in the dug out so that he can sit down in his place

- Shouts at Rohit in the field

- Shouts at Jasprit Bhumra in the field

- Bowls and bats like a clown

- Disrespects and throws Tilak Varma under the bus blaming him for a defeat in a game where he scored 64 of 31 and in the same game Hardhik conceeded 41 runs in 2 overs.

- Not sure if this is true but there was a picture circulating on Youtube where he was holding Mark Boucher's collar

Am shocked that the Ambani's given their wealth and business experience would chose this clown over Rohit, he has bought nothing but negativity and demoralization to the MI team. Am pretty sure that everyone will be happy to see the back of him. I hope Gujrat Titans refuse to take him back going forward.

 

[FearlessRoar]

As per media reports, some of the senior members of the team have expressed their concern regarding Hardik Pandya's style of captaincy which has seen the team's morale falter through the course of the IPL season. Senior players in the likes of Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav held a meeting following a loss in which the players expressed what they believe is the underlying problem and individual meetings were also held to determine the problem.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

As per media reports, some of the senior members of the team have expressed their concern regarding Hardik Pandya's style of captaincy which has seen the team's morale falter through the course of the IPL season. Senior players in the likes of Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav held a meeting following a loss in which the players expressed what they believe is the underlying problem and individual meetings were also held to determine the problem.

Mukesh Ambani will also express his concerns at next year's IPL auction.

 

[FearlessRoar]

While speaking on his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers suggested that Hardik's ego-driven captaincy has not helped MI's cause to reach the playoffs this season:

"Hardik Pandya's captaincy style is quite bravado. It's ego driven in a way, chest out, but when you play with a lot of experienced players who've been around for ages, they don't buy into that. It worked for a young GT team."

"I don't think how he walks on the field is always genuine, but he has decided that is his way of captaincy."

"It (Hardik Pandya's captaincy) worked at GT, where it was a younger team. Sometimes, inexperienced players love to follow that kind of leadership."

 

[The Bald Eagle]

That was a no pressure game today for MI but they still bottled it under Pandya's captaincy, Rohit was equally bad tonight.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Thank you Mr Ambani for destroying two franchises through your decision.

 

[BouncerGuy]

BCCI Bans Hardik Pandya, Slaps Him With Hefty Fine For This Act

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.

“The rest of the members of the playing XI, including the Impact Player, were each individually fined either Rs.12 lakh or 50 percent of their respective match fees, whichever is lesser.”

Nicholas Pooran struck a sensational 28-ball 75 to help Lucknow Super Giants reach a challenging total before they came back after a 45-minute rain break to quell Mumbai Indians by 18 runs despite blazing half-centuries by Rohit Sharma and Naman Dhir.

Pooran slammed a 19-ball half-century, hitting eight sixes as he became the highest six-hitter (36) in the IPL 2024, to lift LSG from 69/3 in 10 overs to help them cross 200.

Mumbai Indians thus finished with eight points from 14 matches, ending last in the standings, the second time in three years for them. LSG ended with 14 points but will be ruing their performance in a couple of matches which could have put them in the playoff.

NDTV​

 

[FearlessRoar]

MI captain Hardik Pandya said after MI's 18-run loss to Lucknow Super Giants:

"It was quite difficult. We did not play good quality cricket, eventually cost us the whole season."

"It's a professional world. Have to always come out and put our best foot forward. But yes, as a group we could not play quality cricket or smart cricket."

 

[FearlessRoar]

Hardik Pandya's MI captaincy future addressed by Boucher after 10th-place finish: 'Had lot of support in dressing room'​

For the second time in three years, Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions in Indian Premier League (IPL), finished bottom of the table. On Friday, MI incurred their 10th loss in the ongoing season, losing to Lucknow Super Giants at home, at the Wankhede Stadium, thus ending their campaign on a disappointing note and leaving a lot of questions to be answered. One of those primary queries pertains to the future of Hardik Pandya, whether he would keep his captaincy position in the side, but moreover, whether he will be retained by the franchise for the next season.

In 14 matches in IPL 2024, Hardik amassed 216 runs, including a 46-run maximum. The all-rounder's season began to fall apart quite early on, with an average of just 18 and a strike rate of 143.05. With the ball, he did pick up 11 wickets, but it came at an economy rate of 10.75, while also skipping bowling duties on a lot of matches in the opening half of the season.

The former South Africa cricketer, however, believes that despite a forgettable show in the IPL 2024, he backed Hardik to grow as a leader and gain knowledge from this experience.

"There's a lot of stuff going around him that clouds his thoughts now and again, which is also challenging for him as a leader. He certainly had a lot of support within our dressing room, and guys are trying to help him out, but it is tricky to go through as a player. It is what it is, and it will undoubtedly be a learning curve for him with his leadership growth. While times are tough now, some things will pass, and he'll be a tougher leader. So, some fantastic things are coming for Hardik Pandya as a leader," he added.

"He came into the season with little cricket behind him, so it would always be reasonably tough on him. We understood that as well. His bowling got a lot better as the season went along. Unfortunately, he didn't fire with the bat this season. He showed glimpses of what he can do," the MI head coach said.

Hardik Pandya's MI captaincy future addressed by Boucher after 10th-place finish: 'Had lot of support in dressing room'

Will Mumbai Indians retain Hardik Pandya as a captain or more so, as a player, for IPL 2025 season?

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