Mumbai Indians are one of the two most successful franchises in the history of Indian Premier League. However, they had a very disappointing outing in the ongoing edition of IPL 2024. MI made a big move ahead of the start of this season and appointed Hardik Pandya as captain by replacing Rohit Sharma under whom they won five titles. However, this didn’t turn out to be successful as the team failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Meanwhile, ahead of their next match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson wants the MI team to put up a big show for the last time in front of their home crowd.
"They have got so much to play for. They have been very disappointing this season. With the caliber of players that they have got in their unit, in front of their home crowd, they would want to put up a big show for their home fans and me,” Shane Watson said on JioCinema.
Watson on Hardik Pandya
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Shane Watson further believes that Hardik Pandya has to perform in this game as it will be his last ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.
"I have got this feeling that Hardik Pandya has really got to step up in last game and really exert his dominance. The T20 World Cup is not too far away, and he really has to hit his straps, especially with the bat," said Watson.
Hardik Pandya has been named the vice-captain of the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and the West Indies. He last played for the national team in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Hardik in GT
The former IPL winner further pointed out the difference between the performances of Hardik Pandya when he was the skipper of Gujarat Titans (GT).
“He has been most disappointing with the bat, knowing how good he was with GT, coming in at No. 4. The impact that he provided with the bat, he was coming in with plenty of runs to score and steady the ship. So, for me Hardik Pandya has to be the man to step up," he added.
In 2022, Hardik Pandya was appointed as the captain of GT and won the title in its first campaign, and in 2023 led the team to the finals. He further went on to lead the Indian team in T20Is in the absence of the senior players.
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