Mumbai Indians just can’t seem to shake off their rough patch in this IPL season. They faced another setback with a loss against Kolkata Knight Riders on May 3. Captain Hardik has found himself at the receiving end of much criticism once again.
Aaron Finch, the former captain of Australia, expressed empathy for Hardik Pandya following Mumbai Indians’ elimination from IPL 2024. The defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders, a team with a longstanding drought of wins at Wankhede Stadium, marked Mumbai’s eighth loss this season, sealing their fate outside the playoffs.
This season has been particularly challenging for Hardik Pandya, who assumed the role of Mumbai Indians’ captain. Even before the tournament commenced, he faced criticism from fans. As the matches unfolded, the pressure only intensified, with fans of Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, and Rohit Sharma expressing their dissatisfaction.
Had Mumbai Indians secured a place in the top four, Pandya’s situation might have been different. However, languishing at the bottom of the table means enduring relentless scrutiny, online backlash, and other forms of criticism.
Aaron Finch, drawing from his own experiences, acknowledged the toll such pressure can take on a player. Speaking to Star Sports, he noted that Pandya appears to be feeling the weight of expectations, a sentiment Finch himself has faced during his career when nothing seems to go right.
Finch said: “You would expect them to chase 170 with the dew falling at the Wankhede stadium. It’s a beautiful place to bat generally. Yes, it was a bit uncharacteristic in the way it turned a bit more and a bit more two-paced than what we have seen in the past. He just looks really flattered at the moment, he looks really drained and someone who is feeling the pressure.
And I feel for him, I have been in that situation myself where everything that you’re trying personally doesn’t seem to be working. And when the team isn’t performing as well, that’s a very difficult place to be. And that’s one thing where you’re not performing and the team winning, that’s something you’d take as a captain but you bear all responsibility as captain for the team’s performance and that is an incredibly hard place to be, particularly in this competition where it’s so brutal.”
Varun Aaron discussed how Mitchell Starc’s death bowling has helped him regain form. “More than anything, it was that last wicket, wasn’t it? Mitch Starc, coming round the wicket, delivering that perfect yorker. The kind of emotion he displayed—it’s something Mitch Starc reveals when he’s onto something big. His recent performance suggests just that. His timing couldn’t be better for Kolkata Knight Riders.”
On May 6th, at the Wankhede stadium, the Mumbai Indians, under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, will host the Sunrisers Hyderabad for their upcoming home game. They will be looking forward to win their remaining matches and end the tournament on a winning note whereas on the other side Sunrisers Hyderabad will be looking forward to register a win and seal their seat for the IPL playoffs.
