'He's trying to act like he is so happy, he isn't happy' - Kevin Pietersen assesses Hardik Pandya’s situation in IPL

Mumbai Indians’ all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been under the firing line ever since the 2024 IPL (Indian Premier League) season started. The star player was traded from Gujarat Titans to the five-time champions in an all-cash deal and has been scrutinized by the fans as he replaced former skipper Rohit Sharma in the role. 

However, former England batter Kevin Pietersen recently came forward to opine that Pandya is trying to look happy in his matches and that he is not happy in reality. Pietersen opined that he has been in a similar situation before, and it is not good for a player.

"I actually think, with Hardik Pandya, everything away from the game is affecting him so much. He's smiling too much when he does the toss. He's trying to act like he is so happy. He is not happy. I have been there. I have been in the firing line. And I can tell you now, it affects you. If what's happening to Hardik Pandya," Kevin Pietersen told Star Sports.

He is an Indian player and he doesn't want to be treated like this: Pietersen

Furthermore, Pietersen addressed the boos that Pandya faces in almost every IPL match this season, opining that, as an Indian player, the star all-rounder would not want to be treated like this, especially by his home crowd. The former England batter also opined that the treatment by the fans is affecting Pandya’s style of play. 

"The boos we have been hearing just now and I know they are happy to see former CSK captain, the lion smacking him all over the park, it hurts you. Because he has emotions. And he is an Indian player and he doesn't want to be treated like this. So, when this is happening, it's affecting him, it's affecting his cricket and something needs to happen," Pietersen said. 

In Mumbai’s recent clash against Chennai Super Kings, Pandya failed to make an impact with both the bat and the ball, as MI faced yet another defeat to arch-rivals CSK by 20 runs.