'He really has to hit his straps' - Shane Watson wants Hardik Pandya to buckle ahead of T20 World Cup 2024

With five IPL titles under their belt, the Mumbai Indians would've expected a more successful season after re-signing Hardik Pandya from the Gujarat Titans, the franchise he led to an inaugural season win and a runners-up spot the year after. Unfortunately, it all went wrong for MI and Hardik, who couldn't hit their stride and ended up winning only four of the 13 matches played ahead of their last league-stage game against the Lucknow Super Giants.

Former Australian cricketer, Shane Watson, voiced on JioCinema that Hardik needed to improve his game in MI's last match of the season, given his disappointing performance this season with the ball (11 wickets in 11 innings at 10.58 rpo) and the bat (200 runs in 12 innings, averaging 18.18). With the T20 World Cup 2024 nearing, Watson highlighted the urgency for Hardik to find form, particularly with the bat.

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“I have got this feeling that Hardik Pandya has really got to step up in last game and really exert his dominance. The T20 World Cup is not too far away, and he really has to hit his straps, especially with the bat,” remarked Watson, while speaking on JioCinema.

They would want to put up a big show for their home fans: Watson on MI

Watson was particularly disheartened by the lackluster season of the star-studded MI and encouraged the team to put on a spectacular show for their home fans one last time this season. He stressed that even after a disappointing campaign, there is still much at stake, with a huge Wankhede crowd expected to cheer them on.

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“They have got so much to play for. They have been very disappointing this season. With the caliber of players that they have got in their unit, in front of their home crowd, they would want to put up a big show for their home fans," added Watson.