'You never led an IPL team': Bangar's strong reply to Rayudu saying Pandya doesn't need Rohit 'in his ears'

"I want to ask you one question, Rayudu. I think Rohit's absence on the field is hurting from a leadership point of view. He could probably give Hardik the right input as well," Bangar asked Rayudu on ESPNCricinfo's TimeOut show.

 

 

"I don't think Hardik needs input. A captain needs to be left alone. It is his team, his input, and you cannot have 10 people in his ears like last year. Rohit is India's captain, and nobody wants to be in his ears when he is captaining. You should follow the same approach with Hardik here," Rayudu replied. 

 

 

Bangar was saying something when Rayudu interrupted him and said, "No, captain has to be left alone, Sanjay bhai. Sorry."

"But you look, when you get an impact sub in, you are looking at specialists. And if I have to look at the other options, MI have Naman Dhir and Tilak, who don't bowl. So, in the T20 setup, having that kind of experience in the field is of immense value. For you, it was different because you never led an IPL team. But here is a guy who has led the team to multiple IPL titles," the former India all-rounder replied pointing out that Rayudu did not captain in one IPL game.

 

 

Rayudu did not seem convinced with what Bangar said. He acknowledged that Rohit is a 'great leader' and suggests that he can give his input via a messenger from the dugout, a substitute fielder.

"But he is not the captain anymore. It is Hardik's team. Let's not get into that debate. Rohit is a great leader; we all acknowledge that, but it is Hardik's team, and he will do whatever he sees fit. Rohit's input can always come from a substitute fielder. He does not have to be on the field for that," Rayudu continued to prove his point.

 

 

"The message does not always come from the former captain. It comes from the management," Bangar was quick to reply.

 

 

The argument went further as Bangar said, "He knows the MI Setup batter."

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Rayudu then recalled when MS Dhoni left Virat Kohli alone. 

"It is not about that. Kohli used to be left alone. Dhoni was not at his ears all the time. Same for Rohit. Then why should Hardik have 10 people at his ears?" he recalled.

 

 

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