“Didn’t want to face Rashid Khan”: Irfan Pathan slams Hardik Pandya for ‘poor captaincy’
Mumbai Indians have only themselves to blame after they succumbed to a six-run defeat in their IPL 2024 opener against Gujarat Titans. With only 40-odd runs required off the final five overs, and with seven wickets in hand, the five-time champions were all set to leave Ahmedabad with two points.
Irfan Pathan has hit out at Hardik Pandya after demoting himself down the order. The former Indian all-rounder believes that the Mumbai Indians skipper should have stepped up, and come out instead of Tim David when the fourth wicket fell. He further added that Hardik Pandya wanted to avoid facing Rashid Khan, who had one more over up his sleeve.
“Hardik Pandya didn’t want to face Rashid Khan and he sent Tim David, that’s where Mumbai Indians lost the match. Poor captaincy,” said Irfan Pathan.
Mumbai Indians continue tradition of losing their IPL opener
Mumbai Indians have continued their tradition of losing their IPL opening matches. Since 2012, the five-time champions have failed to win their first match of the tournament, and have earned themselves the reputation of being the slow-starters.
However, there are a couple of positives for Mumbai Indians in their six-run defeat to Gujarat. MI’s new signing Gerald Coetzee did a fine job, as he picked up two wickets in his four over spell, conceding just 27 runs. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah who missed the previous season die to injury, picked up 3 wickets on his return, conceding just 14 runs in his 4 overs.
Mumbai Indians will look to get back to winning ways, as they face Sunrisers Hyderabad in their second match on Wednesday. This will be Mumbai’s second consecutive away match, before they shift base back home for a couple of matches in April.
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