IPL 2024: Irfan Pathan questions Hardik Pandya’s death-over skill

Right from the beginning of IPL 2024, Irfan Pathan pointed out the basic errors Hardik Pandya was making as the captain of Mumbai Indians. Notably, the skipper opened with the new ball in Mumbai’s opening game against Gujarat Titans, which didn’t go well but the newly appointed skipper continued with the experiment in the following match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, in which he leaked 46 runs in four overs. Following this, the all-rounder stopped bowling for a couple of matches, before trying again against Chennai Super Kings.

This time, Hardik didn’t open with the new ball but tried to execute in the death overs, but that too didn’t work. MS Dhoni smacked him for 20 runs in the last four deliveries as Hardik leaked 43 runs in his three overs. After this, Pathan opined that the skipper didn’t trust Akash Madhwal to bowl the final over, who has done a good job this season, and also questioned his death-over bowling.

Also Read - Adam Gilchrist feels MI in limbo under Hardik Pandya after CSK loss

“Hardik Pandya bowling the last over showed the lack of faith in Akash madhwal’s bowling and his own lack of skill as a death over bowler,” Pathan wrote on his X account.

Former cricketers Kevin Pietersen and Sunil Gavaskar also expressed their disappointment in Pandya’s captaincy after CSK defeated MI by 20 runs at Wankhede Stadium. They pointed out that Hardik has been an ordinary captain and his bowling performance also has been the same, as MI finds themselves in a difficult position now.

Also Read - Sunil Gavaskar lambasts Hardik Pandya after MI's loss to CSK

MI registered their fourth loss in the season against CSK and are currently eighth on the points table, with Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru behind them. Up next, the five-time champions will travel to Mullanpur to challenge Punjab Kings, who are just above them on the points table.

CSK, on the other hand, cemented their position at number three, just behind Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders. Under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, the men in Yellow have won four of their six matches and will next challenge Lucknow Super Giants at Ekana Stadium.