Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya in action during IPL 2024© AFP
It has been a horrible IPL 2024 campaign for Hardik Pandya with the all-rounder facing heavy criticism both as player and skipper. Hardik has scored just 197 runs and taken 4 wickets at an economy rate of over 11. MI are languishing in the ninth position with just three wins in the competition and Hardik’s captaincy has attracted a lot of flak from both fans and experts. With the T20 World Cup 2024 squad announcement coming up, Hardik’s selection has come under the scanner and former India pacer Varun Aaron decided to pick in-form Shivam Dube ahead of Hardik for the competition.
While making his case, Aaron said that Hardik was doing well in Gujarat Titans and added that the all-rounder must be rethinking his decision to move back to MI ahead of the new season.
“Hardik for sure. Hardik is a proven match-winner. I know he is not at his best at the moment. There is so much noise around the Mumbai Indians camp. He is taking on a lot of pressure. No matter what happens, he must be thinking, man.. I was winning trophies in GT (Gujarat Titans). I was the captain. We came runners-up. Why the hell did I come here! (laughs). Because it’s a lot of pressure. And I would say it’s needless pressure because you were doing well, you were setting up your legacy at the Gujarat Titans,” Aaron told Star Sports.
Hardik Shivam@VarunAaron picks his choice of all-rounder for the #T20WorldCup ahead as he joins the debate in who amongst @hardikpandya7 or #ShivamDube should make it to the Indian squad!
Catch the full episode herehttps://t.co/OytLuftZFw
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— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 29, 2024
“But then he has come to Mumbai Indians and I understand why because he loves Mumbai. He loves Mumbai Indians. They gave him the initial platform and he has gone on to conquer a lot in world cricket through that. But you gotta see he had a really good run at the Titans. So, I think once you remove him from that pressure kind-of spot, he will shine,” he added.
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