Mumbai Indians’ journey in the IPL 2024 has come to an end, with the team set to play their final league game against Lucknow Super Giants. The season has been a disappointing one for the five-time champions, especially since Hardik Pandya took over as captain from Rohit Sharma. The decision to replace Sharma with Pandya was met with criticism, and as the team’s poor form continued with a series of losses, Pandya faced even more scrutiny.
Pandya’s on-field performance has been inconsistent, and he has faced criticism from fans and pundits alike. However, one person who has come to his defense is Virat Kohli. In a recent video, Kohli can be seen telling the crowd not to boo Pandya, emphasizing that he is an Indian player.
Despite his struggles this season, Pandya has been selected in the 15-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas. Reports suggest that there was opposition to his selection from both Rohit Sharma and the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar. However, Pandya’s inclusion in the squad was reportedly due to external pressure.
The report also hinted at the possibility of Rohit Sharma retiring from the T20 format after the World Cup. With uncertainty surrounding Pandya’s form and future in the team, all eyes will be on the upcoming tournament to see how he performs on the international stage.