Irfan Pathan Dismisses Hardik Pandya’s Authority with ‘Rohit Sharma is My Captain’ Remark After Akash Madhwal Snubs MI Skipper

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan recently shared some interesting insights during his commentary on an IPL 2024 match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). The incident that sparked the discussion involved a key strategic moment where MI was defending a lead in the final over, and the captaincy dynamic appeared to shift.

Before the start of the last over, which was critical for MI to defend their nine-run lead, the bowler, Akash Madhwal, was discussing field placements and strategies with both current MI captain Hardik Pandya and former captain Rohit Sharma. However, Madhwal seemed to pay more attention to Rohit Sharma’s instructions, virtually ignoring Hardik Pandya’s inputs. The incident was caught on camera and quickly became viral, leading to discussions about the leadership dynamics within the MI team. Ultimately, MI won the match, but the moment raised questions about who was really in charge during high-pressure situations.

Commenting on this during the next match against Rajasthan Royals, Irfan Pathan pointed out that the incident could indicate a lack of confidence in Hardik Pandya’s captaincy. He noted that Madhwal’s preference for listening to Rohit Sharma might suggest that the team, or at least some players, still views Rohit as their leader. Pathan remarked that such situations should not happen, and Hardik Pandya needs to establish himself more convincingly as the captain of the team.

Pathan’s critique of Pandya didn’t stop there. During the same match, Hardik Pandya was dismissed for a low score of 10 off 10 balls, indicating his struggles with consistent performance. Pathan commented on Hardik’s diminishing ability to play big shots, which had once made him a valuable asset for both MI and the Indian national team. Early in his career, Pandya was known for hitting long sixes and playing crucial innings, such as his memorable 75 against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final, twin 90s against Australia, and a remarkable Test century against Sri Lanka.

Pathan’s remarks highlighted concerns about Hardik Pandya’s recent form and leadership, pointing out that his game might not be as impactful as it used to be. The on-air critique served as a call for Pandya to step up his leadership and batting game to solidify his role as MI’s captain and restore confidence in his abilities.