Former Australian captain Aaron Finch reckons Hardik Pandya needs to find some form for Mumbai Indians to get back to winning ways. Pandya has failed to lead from the front as he has managed 131 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 145.6.
Furthermore, Pandya has been expensive with the ball, conceding his runs at an economy rate of 12. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians have managed two wins in six games in the ongoing IPL 2024 and they will look to be more consistent in the upcoming matches.
Finch said Pandya needs to lead from the front to get the best out of his players and guide his team on the right track.
“First and foremost, I think the captain needs to find some form and consistency with bat and ball. We’ve seen him bowl in some games and not in others, so ideally, some form with both bat and ball. I think that will go a long way. Additionally, their bowling outside of Jasprit Bumrah has lacked depth of quality and consistency,” Finch said while speaking exclusively on Star Sports Cricket Live.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya has received a lot of flak from the fans in the ongoing season. Pandya was first booed by the Ahmedabad crowd in the clash against Gujarat Titans, whom he led successfully for two seasons before returning to Mumbai Indians.
The all-rounder received a similar treatment from the hostile Mumbai crowd while playing at home. MI also lost their previous match against defending champions Chennai Super Kings by 20 runs. Pandya was taken for three sixes by former CSK captain MS Dhoni and it turned out to be the turning point in the game.
MI will face Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh on Thursday.
