Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan has raised concerns about Hardik Pandya’s leadership abilities as captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Pathan believes that Pandya’s inability to adapt to match situations and lack of a clear plan have contributed to MI’s poor performance so far.
“Hardik needs to manage MI really well. Whenever MI lost, Pandya had a big role to play,” Pathan said. “He needs to be aware of the situation and have a Plan A and Plan B. He is not a newbie, he has been playing for so many years. If he is not going to use his own experience and be smart about it, he will be found out.”
Pathan also questioned Pandya’s decision-making during MI’s recent loss to the Rajasthan Royals. “Even yesterday, Akash Madhwal didn’t bowl the last over, you need to give responsibility to him. When Shreyas Gopal got the wicket of Rachin Ravindra, why didn’t you give him another over? He only bowled one over… there was some slowness in the pitch and you need to adapt quickly, unfortunately, Pandya has not been able to adapt so far.”
Pathan acknowledged that Pandya had a successful run as captain of the Gujarat Titans under coach Ashish Nehra, but he emphasized that the MI support staff is also trying to help Pandya. “They are trying to help, it is up to Hardik Pandya,” Pathan said.
Pathan also expressed his disappointment over the possibility of Shivam Dube not being selected for the T20 World Cup. “Eventually there will be a time when Shivam Dube will put pressure on Pandya, the kind of hitting ability that Dube has, the way he has murdered the spinners, no one comes closer to him in Indian batting in the middle order, he is the best now,” Pathan said. “I will be highly disappointed if he doesn’t go to the World Cup.”
Regarding India’s bowling line-up for the World Cup, Pathan emphasized the need for a gun left-arm pacer and a wrist spinner. “I want selectors to have an in-form bowling line-up, you will have (Jasprit) Bumrah, probably a left-arm spinner in Jadeja or Axar Patel, a good wrist spinner, who will be wicket-taker in the middle overs. Get a gun left-armer who is in form, which we missed so many years now. If Arshdeep Singh can bowl like he is doing but also keep an eye on Mohsin Khan.”
Pathan also discussed the impact rule in the IPL, expressing concerns about its long-term effects on Indian cricket. “This rule is not that great for Indian cricket in the long term, see Venkatesh Iyer, Shivam Dube is not bowling, lots of all-rounders are not able to bowl. You want the youngsters to be part of the game,” he said. “I am really worried about the allrounder, eventually going forward we will have to think about this aspect.”
