Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has criticized Mumbai Indians’ decision to bring back all-rounder Hardik Pandya as captain, stating that it backfired and led to a lack of unity within the team. The ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season was a forgettable one for the five-time champions, as they finished at the bottom of the points table with four wins, 10 losses, and eight points.
Pandya, who had a successful stint with Gujarat Titans (GT) before returning to MI, faced backlash on social media after replacing Rohit Sharma as captain. He was booed in stadiums across India and failed to deliver match-winning performances for the team.
Harbhajan Singh expressed his disappointment with MI’s decision, suggesting that it may have been better to wait a year before making such a change. He emphasized that the senior players in the team have a responsibility to keep the players united, regardless of who the captain is.
Despite his struggles in the IPL, Pandya will be looking to make a strong impact for Team India in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA. As the vice-captain of the squad led by Rohit Sharma, Pandya’s performance will be crucial for India’s campaign in the tournament.
India is placed in Group A of the T20 World Cup alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and the USA. They will kick off their campaign against Ireland on June 5, followed by a highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on June 9. Fans will be hoping to see a different version of Hardik Pandya in the blue jersey as he aims to deliver for his country on the global stage.