'Hardik Pandya should focus on team combination' - Navjot Singh Sidhu advises new Mumbai Indians skipper after RR defeat

Franchise Mumbai Indians' (MI) dismal start to the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) season continued as they suffered their third consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Despite being the five-time champions, Mumbai have struggled to find their form, thereby leaving new captain Hardik Pandya facing harsh criticism from fans and experts alike.

The level of trolling and booing that Pandya received in front of the home crowd was immense. The booing was so intense that during toss, Sanjay Manjrekar had to urge the crowd to show respect and behave appropriately.

Amidst this, the former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator, Navjot Singh Sidhu, offered his pearl of wisdom to the under-pressure Mumbai Indians skipper. Sidhu acknowledged that had MI won their previous two matches, Pandya's captaincy would have been praised. However, given their losses, including conceding the highest-ever IPL total against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Pandya needs to reflect on his team's combination.

“There is nothing that succeeds like success. If Mumbai Indians had won the last two games, everyone would have been silent. I think he (Pandya) should focus on the team combination. When you concede 277 runs, everyone screams that your bowling is not good enough. How could a team score 277 when it was unprecedented in the tournament? The other game (against GT) was a close one. They were defeated, not disgraced," Sidhu was heard saying on air via Star Sports. 

In the aftermath, Sidhu urged Pandya to take inspiration from the legendary MS Dhoni, who consistently found suitable replacements for injured or out-of-form players. He cited the latest example in the form of Rachin Ravindra as a near-perfect replacement for the fellow New Zealander in Conway.

“Look at what Dhoni does. When Devon Conway, who was the leading run-getter for him last season, got injured, he got in Rachin Ravindra, who is similar and somewhat better. He needs to find that kind of replacement or he will be exposed," Sidhu further added. 

Also Read: Hardik Pandya reacts after Mumbai Indians' third straight loss in IPL 2024

MI find themselves at the bottom of the points table

The match at the Wankhede Stadium was a forgetful experience for the Mumbai Indians' batting lineup. After being asked to bat first, they were reduced to 20/4 within the first four overs, courtesy of a great spell from Trent Boult. Hardik Pandya (34 off 21) and Tilak Varma (32 off 29) tried to steady MI's ship, but they only managed to put up a total of 125/9.

In reply, RR's Riyan Parag's unbeaten 54 off 39 balls guided the visitors to a comfortable six-wicket victory with 27 balls to spare. Akash Madhwal was the pick of the bowlers as he ended with the figures of 3/20 in his four overs. The loss has only added to the mounting pressure on Pandya, who has faced constant booing and criticism from the Wankhede crowd since his captaincy appointment.

Also Read: Stuart Broad lauds 'world-class' Trent Boult