IPL 2024: Hardik Pandya’s MI Bad Captaincy Led the Team Into Losing the Match

Hardik Pandya MI Bad Captaincy Led the Team Into Losing the Match

Hardik Pandya MI Bad Captaincy Led the Team Into Losing the Match: On Sunday, March 24, 80,081 cricket fans descended on the Narendra Modi Stadium for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) clash between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans. As soon as Mumbai won the toss, 80,080 fans cheered 'Rohit Rohit' as loudly as their vocal cords permitted.

As the 5-time champions imploded in their 169-run chase against Gujarat Titans on Sunday in Ahmedabad, former fast bowler Irfan Pathan questioned Hardik Pandya's moves as captain.

It was now evident to Hardik Pandya what he was about to endure for the next five hours. A great deal of vexation - not just from fans of the team he led to a title in 2022, but also from fans of his current team.

Hardik Pandya did not change the old jinx as Mumbai Indians lost their opening match of an IPL season for the 12th time in a row. The Mumbai Indians lost their last 5 wickets for just 32 runs on Sunday, March 24 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Hardik Pandya's valiant effort with the bat in the final over was not enough for his team.

As a result, trivialities like team compositions and strategic decisions faded into insignificance. Each name was typed in the same font and size on the team sheet. There was one name, however, that caught the attention of everyone - Hardik Pandya. Mumbai's new captain. He took over from Rohit Sharma, who led the team to all those titles in a seismic shift.

Hardik Pandya bad blowing decision

Pandya blowed the first over with the new ball, but it did not work out. After Wriddhiman Saha dispatched the first delivery for four, Shubman Gill followed suit with another boundary, just three deliveries later. In his second over, he also produced two boundaries. During his powerplay, he averaged 55.3 runs per over, while his economy rate was 9.76 runs per over.

Gujarat Titans scored 31 runs off three overs before Jasprit Bumrah was called into action, despite his excellent powerplay numbers and exemplary form. Bumrah dismantled Saha's stumps with his first delivery.

Luke Wood, who replaced Jason Behrendorff, had a forgettable debut, leaking 25 runs in a couple of overs. In addition to his final numbers, his usage will be scrutinized.

During his first over on Sunday, Wood conceded only six runs and posed a threat to Wriddhiman Saha. After only one over, he was redacted from the firing line for an inexplicable reason.

With Shubman Gill on strike, Pandya introduced another debutant Shams Mulani, the 27-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner. The Gujarat captain has a strike rate and average of 147.1 and 51.2 against left-arm orthodox spinners since IPL 2022, highlighting his proficiency against that particular conglomerate.

If Mumbai had won, the scrutiny of his bowling changes could have been avoided. In order to achieve that, they needed Hardik Pandya to lead the charge and not bat at number seven - a decision that sparked fervent debate throughout the nation

Hardik Pandya made a mistake by coming at no 7

His efficiency was at its peak when he batted in no 3 and no 4, scoring more than 1000 runs.

In spite of the Mumbai Indians' flaws, not all is gloomy in their camp. Their enviable squad is now led by a skipper who might not have had the best start but is a proven winner in this competition, and is willing to take it all.

On Tuesday, Gujarat Titans will face Chenna Super Kings in Chennai, while Mumbai Indians will face SunRisers in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

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