After MI lost to KKR on Friday, May 3, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan went on a shocking tirade against the team’s captain, Hardik Pandya. At the Wankhede Stadium, MI were bowled out for just 145 runs in the second inning chasing a target of 170 runs. After the game, Pathan chastised Hardik Pandya for his leadership skills and attacked the MI captain for letting go of the game.
No on-field respect for Hardik Pandya
After the game, Pathan took to his Instagram channel to discuss how MI did not need to bowl three overs of Naman Dhir when KKR were down 57/5 in the seventh over of the match. According to Pathan, MI could have easily kept KKR to 150 runs, but by allowing 20 extra runs, they allowed the match to slip away.
“Mumbai Indians’ story ends here. This team was so good on paper, but it wasn’t managed. The questions that were raised on Hardik Pandya‘s captaincy were absolutely right. When you’ve restricted KKR to 57/5, you didn’t have to give Naman Dhir three successive overs. You had to bring your main bowlers, and you gave your sixth bowler three overs. Manish Pandey and Venkatesh Iyer posted a strong partnership. You could’ve bowled them out on 150 instead you let them score 170,” Irfan said.
Latest News on IPL
“Captaincy has a big impact in the game. Mumbai Indians don’t look like a united team, and management needs to consider this. Players need to respect and accept the captain, and we didn’t see that on-field. They have to improve in that aspect,” he added.
What’s next for MI?
The final three games of the Mumbai Indians’ season are against teams that are presently ranked in the top four. They will play SRH next followed by a rematch against KKR and LSG. MI need to win all of the last three matches. Additionally, they will have to depend on the result of other teams to have any chance of qualifying.
Editors pick
