Critics are closely scrutinizing Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya for his subpar leadership skills in the ongoing 2024 IPL season.
Mumbai Indians suffered their fourth defeat in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, facing a 20-run loss against Chennai Super Kings at their home ground, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The team struggled both with bat and ball throughout the game.
MI’s bowlers faced challenges, conceding a total of 206 runs. Although skipper Hardik Pandya managed to take 2 wickets, his economy rate soared to over 24. Only Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Nabi managed to keep their economy rates below 8. Chennai Super Kings’ Ruturaj Gaikwad (69), Shivam Dube (66), and MS Dhoni (20*) performed well with the bat, helping their team reach a formidable total despite early setbacks.
Mumbai Indians made a promising start with Ishan Kishan (23) and Rohit Sharma (105*) putting up 70 runs. However, the rest of the batting lineup couldn’t support Rohit, who played an outstanding century. MI concluded their innings with 186 runs but fell short by 20 runs. Matheesha Pathirana stood out for Chennai Super Kings, taking 4 wickets for 28 runs in his 4 overs, significantly impacting the game’s outcome.
Having suffered two defeats at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Indians face an uphill battle as they gear up for their next three matches at different venues. The pressure on skipper Hardik Pandya is mounting, particularly due to his recent performances with both bat and ball.
Pandya’s captaincy and recent form have come under scrutiny. In the previous match, his bowling struggled, conceding 2/43 from three overs. The final over, in particular, proved costly, with MS Dhoni hitting him for three consecutive sixes, pushing Chennai Super Kings’ total past the 200 mark. Had Pandya performed better, Mumbai Indians might have faced a more manageable target.
Meanwhile, social media platforms are abuzz with reactions from fans. Memes and jokes are flooding in, with many criticizing Pandya for his poor leadership and performance.
Here are some of the reactions from fans:
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