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Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya’s troubles with franchise’s fans seem to be never-ending in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Once again, the all-rounder was booed at the Wankhede Stadium during the clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). After MI’s 20-run defeat to CSK despite Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten century, Hardik made a statement in the post-match presentation which led former Australia cricketer Adam Gilchrist to believe that he lacks support in the MI dugout.
“They got the hang of it, there's a man behind the stumps (Dhoni) who tells them what's working, that helps,” Hardik had said.
Gilchrist feels that Hardik is feeling alone at the moment and he needs support from Rohit similar to what MS Dhoni has been doing for Ruturaj Gaikwad.
“That line about Dhoni is interesting. It tells that maybe he is feeling a bit of a lone wolf at the moment. Maybe it is all having a bit of an effect because he is having the feeling that he has not got support around him. But his observation of the opposition is that hang on, he (Gaikwad) has got the support there, an experienced one obviously. It tells me a bit about the mindset of Hardik at the moment and the uncertainty and hesitation in the MI dugout,” Gilchrist said on Cricbuzz.
Why fans are upset with Hardik?
Gilchrist also explained why fans have been upset with the five-time IPL champions. He said that the franchise's fans feel blindsided as Hardik was made captain out of the blue.
“High-profile teams are a victim of their own success. There are often trades that come out of the blue, and fans feel like, 'hang on, we are not invested in this'. They feel that they are part of this big picture and hence feel blindsided. The way this Hardik traded came out of nowhere and the transition from Rohit to Hardik...whether Rohit was happy or not or if he was considered or not. So that is where this feeling is coming,” the southpaw said.
Hardik not at 100 per cent?
In addition, Gilchrist suspected that Hardik is not at his 100 per cent while bowling and it was visible in the final over when Dhoni deposited three consecutive balls into the stands.
"The only positive about Hardik Pandya and his bowling was that he was prepared to take on the challenge. I am captain, I am gonna have a crack but then he looks proppy, as we use in Australian sporting terms, you are not quite fluent. He does not look anywhere near 100 percent fit with the ball in hand and if there is any doubt about the physicality. His bowling was scattered," the 52-year-old said.
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