According to Harbhajan Singh, former Indian spinner, who also said the team did not perform as a cohesive unit, it was the wrong move for Mumbai Indians (MI) to reappoint Hardik Pandya as captain.
This season of the Indian Premier League has been among the worst for five-time champions MI. After two years with Gujarat Titans where they won in their first season in 2022, Pandya was brought back by MI.
However, this decision faced mixed reactions from fans on social media when Rohit Sharma was ousted as captain.
MI finished last on the table with four wins and ten losses that gave them only eight points; during their games around India, they were booed by Pandya. But he could no longer deliver game-changing performances like before in a winning campaign which spanned from 2015-21.”
Harbhajan told ANI that “it is a wrong thing done by Mumbai Indians regarding getting back Hardik”. He added that he thought this move maybe one year later but maintained that it wasn’t Hardik’s fault.
“I have played for MI which is a big team. I know their management runs the side well. It did not work out like they had thought may be looking at future. Basically means they were not one and Jonas so decided to disagree with each other. This was meant to happen. I am pained when such a good team, an old team of mine records these types of results.” said Harbhajan. “Maybe time wasn’t right when we made this decision,” he went on. “It might have been better if we had waited until next year to make this choice.” Harbhajan maintained in conclusion that it was completely unfair to blame Hardik since as GT skipper he performed his role perfectly well throughout all games; let senior players instead create unity within themselves regardless any changes of captains because new leaders are expected every day and this is true. They did not play like a team.”
Pandya scored 216 runs in his 14-match innings, with an average of 18.00 and a strike rate of 143.04 including his highest score in the format of 46, and also took 11 wickets at an awful average of 35 with economy rate being only 10.75.
However, fans will be hoping for a different Pandya when he puts on the blue jersey for India during the ICC T20 World Cup that begins on June 1st in United States and West Indies. Team India’s vice-captain, Pandya is a white-ball international all-rounder who has performed exceptionally well under pressure regularly according to Rohit.
India has been placed alongside bitter rivals Pakistan alongside cohosts USA, Ireland and Canada in Group A of these contests.
India embarks on its journey in the T20 World Cup after playing Ireland at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York City on June 5th. Then, four days later they face their main game against Pakistan at same venue on June 9th. The subsequent encounters include USA ( June12th), Canada (June15th).
