Hardik Pandya’s captaincy style has come under scrutiny after his unsuccessful stint leading the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers believes that Pandya’s “ego-driven, chest out” approach lacks authenticity and fails to inspire experienced teammates.
De Villiers, an IPL legend himself, observed that Pandya’s attempt to project a confident demeanor is unconvincing. He noted that Pandya’s style worked in the younger Gujarat Titans team, where he led them to the IPL title in their inaugural season. However, the same approach proved ineffective in Mumbai, where the team failed to reach the playoffs.
De Villiers attributed this discrepancy to the presence of experienced players in the Mumbai Indians squad. He explained that such players are less likely to be swayed by Pandya’s bravado and prefer a more composed and collective leadership style.
De Villiers advised Pandya to abandon his “bravado” and adopt a more humble approach. He recalled his own experience playing under Graeme Smith, who led the South African team with a calm and confident demeanor. De Villiers emphasized that Pandya should focus on providing guidance and support to his teammates rather than relying on outward displays of confidence.
Despite his criticism, De Villiers clarified that he respects Pandya as a player and enjoys watching him perform. He believes that Pandya has the potential to be a successful captain if he can adjust his leadership style to suit the team’s needs.
