Hardik Pandya is currently one of the most discussed cricketer in the world. Since the time he became the Mumbai Indians captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, nothing seems to be going right for the star all-rounder. MI have lost three games on the trot in the IPL 2024 to be placed last in the 10-team tournament and Pandya has been booed wherever his team has played, it includes Mumbai too. In the midst of this, Pandya was seen offering prayers at the Somnath Temple in Gujarat on Friday.
Hardik Pandya offers prayers at Somnath Temple. pic.twitter.com/hZNIVQ3MH3
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Former India coach Ravi Shastri feels the fan backlash towards Hardik Pandya could have been avoided had Mumbai Indians shown “clarity in communication” while announcing him as captain. Shastri also advised Pandya to stay calm and weather the storm with solid performances. “This is not the Indian cricket team that’s playing. This is franchise cricket. They have paid top dollar. They are the bosses. It’s their entitlement as to who they want as captain. Okay, where I think this could have been handled better was with more clarity in communication,” Shastri said told Star Sports’ ‘Cricket Live Show’.
“If you wanted Hardik Pandya as captain, then say that we are looking at the future. We are looking to build. Rohit has done a fabulous job, as everyone knows, and we want him to help out Hardik in these next three years as the team progresses.
“At the end of the day, nothing beats results. You win matches, and things will change. There’s a lot of bull crap out there as well. You know, and some of the stories are just planted. A lot of it is just planted on other people’s names, including my name,” he added.
“That communication, that clarity should have come out a little more for all this to die down. So it’s not a case of you saying, ‘No, we don’t want Rohit Sharma,’ or ‘He was treated badly,’ and all the things that are coming out in social media,” he added.
Shastri expects the tide to turn once Mumbai Indians start winning. The team is currently on a three-match losing streak.
“So, my advice to Hardik would be to be calm, patient, ignore, and just focus on your game. Get a couple of performances going. Mumbai Indians is a terrific side. If they get on a roll, they win three or four matches on the trot, everything will subside,” he said.
With PTI inputs
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