Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has shared his thoughts on the video featuring Rohit Sharma, Akash Madhwal and Hardik Pandya that went viral during Mumbai Indians' (MI) IPL 2024 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) last week.
Before the start of the final over, in which Madhwal was tasked to defend 12 runs, the pacer was surrounded by current skipper Hardik and former captain Rohit.
As plans were being devised to stop PBKS, Madhwal was seen paying attention to Rohit's guidance rather than Hardik. In the end, it all worked well as Mumbai Indians emerged victorious by nine runs.
During MI’s clash against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Monday (April 22), Pathan took a brutal dig at Hardik Pandya while performing the commentary duties.
Referring to the Madhwal episode, Pathan claimed that some of the Mumbai players are probably still seeing Rohit and not Hardik as their captain.
"In the previous match, there was a very interesting situation that unfolded. Before the final over, Rohit Sharma, Akash Madhwal and Hardik Pandya were standing together. It was a full-on pressure situation. Akash Madhwal was only looking at Rohit Sharma. Only talking to him as to what sort of field to set. Now that happens when you have confidence that 'This guy [Rohit], not the other one [Hardik] is my captain. This thing needs to change which I feel Hardik can," Pathan said on air.
Irfan Pathan’s scrutiny of Hardik Pandya didn't end there. After the MI captain got out for run-a-ball 10, Pathan highlighted how Hardik's ability to play the big shots is declining.
"Hardik Pandya’s hitting ability is going down. That's a big worry in the larger picture. At the Wankhede he is different but on pitches where there is little help is what is worrisome for him," Pathan tweeted.
Coming to the match, MI suffered a crushing nine-wicket defeat at the hands of RR at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Opting to bat first, MI posted 179/9 on the board, courtesy of Tilak Varma’s 45-ball 65 and Nehal Wadhera’s 24-ball 49. Sandeep Sharma starred with the ball for RR, picking up five wickets by conceding only 18 runs in his four overs.
In reply, the hosts rode on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s unbeaten hundred (104* off 60 balls) to overhaul the target with eight deliveries to spare.
It was MI’s fifth defeat in eight games this season. The five-time champions are currently occupying seventh spot in the 10-team points table and their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread.
Mumbai Indians will next face Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Saturday (April 27).
