Former Australian cricketer-turned-commentator Tom Moody warned Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya ahead of his captaincy debut during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He also said that Hardik is a ‘highly respected cricketer’ and will be backed by his teammates in the upcoming IPL season, which is set to begin on March 22 in Chennai. Hardik Joined MI as their captain ahead of IPL 2024, replacing Rohit Sharma.
He is a highly respected cricketer: Moody
"He has got a team that will back up and take away the pressure of inconsistent performances. He will have the support of the Indian and overseas players because he is a highly respected cricketer and a performer as an all-rounder," Moody told ESPNCricinfo.
‘Captaincy can be a completely different game’
Moody has also cautioned Pandya by saying that the results of the first two or three games are significant as people would start questioning leadership and decision-making straightaway.
"But, captaincy can be a completely different game once you lose two or three games and suddenly they pick holes out of your leadership, they pick holes out of the decisions you make," added Moody.
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The 30-year-old Pandya joined Gujarat Titans (GT) as captain in 2022 and led them to IPL glory in their debut season. He also guided them to the IPL 2023 final where they lost to MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
"When you are winning, you can make the craziest decisions and still people build them up to being genius strokes. Hardik has the credentials as the Gujarat Titans leader, he is tactically sound and he will be supported by all the senior players, both Indian and overseas," said Moody.
During the IPL 2024, some big Indian superstars Rohit, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah will play under him. Rohit has led MI from 2013 to 2023 and has helped them win five IPL titles.
Pandya’s MI captaincy test will kick off against GT on March 24 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
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